Our delicious history

Long before they showed up in pies or fancy gift boxes, pecans were a prized treat for Native American tribes along the Mississippi River and beyond. These folks knew a good thing when they saw it—gathering pecans from wild trees, cracking ’em open with stones, and even turning them into drinks. The word “pecan” itself comes from the Algonquin language, meaning “a nut so tough you need a rock to crack it.” From nourishment to trade to medicine, pecans were more than just a snack—they were a way of life.

By the 1700s, Spanish settlers were planting pecan trees down in northern Mexico, and by the time George Washington was walking around Mount Vernon, he was planting a few pecans of his own. Thomas Jefferson followed suit, showing them off on his Monticello estate. Folks in New Orleans were the first to really see the business side of things—grafting the best trees and shipping pecans far and wide, from the West Indies to Europe. What started as a wild riverbank treasure has become a Southern staple, loved for its flavor, versatility, and deep roots in American soil. And today, Emma carries that rich legacy right into her kitchen in Byhalia, Mississippi—where every small batch of her candied pecans is made with tradition, love, and just the right touch of Southern magic.