Georgia is home to some of the best pecans in the world. Central and southern parts of the state are dotted with glorious groves overflowing with pecan pie potential. Georgia pecans are so good, you may never get them into your baked goods before gobbling them up raw! These are the essential pecan stops.
Sunnyland Farm, Albany
Since 1948, Sunnyland has been growing some of the best pecans in US in their Albany, Georgia orchard. As far as straight pecans, their mammoths take the cake, for sure. With loads of flavor, these monsters are hearty, and just crisp enough. Roast them a touch to bring out the taste even more. Sunnyland also whips up a simple pecan meal, which is a finely ground nut powder, that is too good on baked fish or chicken!
Lane Southern Orchards, Fort Valley
You’ll definitely want to actually stop at Lane in Fort Valley, but you can order online too. It’s at least a half day of fun with tours of their peach and pecan orchards, a delicious cafe, seasonally stocked farmers market and a farm themed playground for the kiddos. While they are wildly popular for peaches and out of this world peach ice cream, their pecans, and treats made with pecans, bring road trippers in from far and wide. Taste a bit of everything with the Super Deluxe Sampler filled with milk chocolate, praline, roasted, cinnamon spiced, dark chocolate and raw mammoths. And guess what? The sampler merges two southern food universes harmoniously within their peach flavored pecan. All is right in the world.
Goodson Pecans, Leesburg
You don’t have to trek to Leesburg to get Goodson’s crazy good pecans and pecan products; you can order them online. There’s quite a variation of goodies, from chocolate covered to spicy ranch pecans. Their pecan butter, similar to peanut butter but with that roasted pecan taste, is perfectly sweet, and an awesome nut spread alternative. Anything you’d use peanut butter for, can be made with pecan butter for a different twist. Siracha pecans are also killer, and are a nice change from typically sweet nut treats.
Pearson Farm, Fort Valley
Pearson Farm is a five generation operation that all started with some peach trees. As you’ve probably noticed, peaches and pecans go hand in hand on Georgia farms. Pearson’s pecan crumbles are roasted with real maple syrup, and are super popular for salads or snacking. But the best thing may be their unique, celebration worthy champagne pecans, made with real champagne, of course! Visitors can stop by the Fort Valley packing house to buy products on site, or try their fresh peach ice cream, during peach season, that’s been featured in Southern Living.
Hudson Pecan Company, Ocilla
Generations old as well, Hudson Pecan Company has had over 100 years to cultivate the perfect pecan. Based in Ocilla, the orchard solidifies central Georgia as “Pecan Country”. The cinnamon pecans are so perfectly simplistic with a thin coating of sugar, and a robust cinnamon kick.
Peyton’s Pecans, Camilla
If you’ve been to the south, you’ve probably tried divinity candy. It’s a dreamy whipped mixture of sugar, eggs and nuts, and it’s very hard to make. Southern cooks will tell you even if the weather is off, the candy won’t come out right. Weird stuff. No worries, Peyton’s Pecans offers a hybrid; pecans coated in divinity! This is real southern stuff y’all.
