The Pecan: A History of America's Native Nut by James McWilliams (English) Paper

Description: The Pecan by James McWilliams This lively history by the acclaimed author of Just Food and A Revolution in Eating follows the pecan from primordial Southern groves to the contemporary Chinese marketplace to reveal how a nut with a very limited natural range has become a global commodi FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description What would Thanksgiving be without pecan pie? New Orleans without pecan pralines? Southern cooks would have to hang up their aprons without Americas native nut, whose popularity has spread far beyond the trees natural home. But as familiar as the pecan is, most people dont know the fascinating story of how native pecan trees fed Americans for thousands of years until the nut was "improved" a little more than a century ago-and why that rapid domestication actually threatens the pecans long-term future.In The Pecan, acclaimed writer and historian James McWilliams explores the history of Americas most important commercial nut. He describes how essential the pecan was for Native Americans-by some calculations, an average pecan harvest had the food value of nearly 150,000 bison. McWilliams explains that, because of its natural edibility, abundance, and ease of harvesting, the pecan was left in its natural state longer than any other commercial fruit or nut crop in America. Yet once the process of "improvement" began, it took less than a century for the pecan to be almost totally domesticated. Today, more than 300 million pounds of pecans are produced every year in the United States-and as much as half of that total might be exported to China, which has fallen in love with Americas native nut. McWilliams also warns that, as ubiquitous as the pecan has become, it is vulnerable to a "perfect storm" of economic threats and ecological disasters that could wipe it out within a generation. This lively history suggests why the pecan deserves to be recognized as a true American heirloom. Author Biography JAMES MCWILLIAMS is Professor of History at Texas State University. He is a frequent contributor to the Atlantic, Texas Observer, the New York Times, and other publications. Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Cracking the Nut Chapter 1. The Native Americans Nut Chapter 2. "Pekan Nuttrees": Europeans Encounter the Pecan Chapter 3. ". . . the Forest into an Orchard": Passive Cultivation on the Texas Frontier Chapter 4. Antoines Graft: The Birth of the Improved Pecan, 1822–1900 Chapter 5. "To Make These Little Trees": The Culture of Pecan Improvement, 1900–1925 Chapter 6. "Pecans for the World": The Pecan Goes Industrial, 1920-1945 Chapter 7. "In Almost Any Recipe . . . Pecans May Be Used": American Consumers Embrace the Pecan, 1940-1960 Chapter 8. "China Wants Our Nuts": The Pecan Goes Global Epilogue. The Future of Pecans Notes Bibliographical Essay Index Long Description What would Thanksgiving be without pecan pie? New Orleans without pecan pralines? Southern cooks would have to hang up their aprons without Americas native nut, whose popularity has spread far beyond the trees natural home. But as familiar as the pecan is, most people dont know the fascinating story of how native pecan trees fed Americans for thousands of years until the nut was "improved" a little more than a century ago--and why that rapid domestication actually threatens the pecans long-term future. In The Pecan, acclaimed writer and historian James McWilliams explores the history of Americas most important commercial nut. He describes how essential the pecan was for Native Americans--by some calculations, an average pecan harvest had the food value of nearly 150,000 bison. McWilliams explains that, because of its natural edibility, abundance, and ease of harvesting, the pecan was left in its natural state longer than any other commercial fruit or nut crop in America. Yet once the process of "improvement" began, it took less than a century for the pecan to be almost totally domesticated. Today, more than 300 million pounds of pecans are produced every year in the United States--and as much as half of that total might be exported to China, which has fallen in love with Americas native nut. McWilliams also warns that, as ubiquitous as the pecan has become, it is vulnerable to a "perfect storm" of economic threats and ecological disasters that could wipe it out within a generation. This lively history suggests why the pecan deserves to be recognized as a true American heirloom. Details ISBN0292762186 Author James McWilliams Short Title The Pecan Pages 192 Publisher University of Texas Press Language English Year 2022 ISBN-10 0292762186 ISBN-13 9780292762183 Format Paperback Subtitle A History of Americas Native Nut DEWEY 634.52 DOI 10.7560/749160 Imprint University of Texas Press Place of Publication Austin, TX Country of Publication United States Illustrations 3 b&w photos Publication Date 2022-03-15 AU Release Date 2022-03-15 NZ Release Date 2022-03-15 US Release Date 2022-03-15 UK Release Date 2022-03-15 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:161775650;

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