Hold Up—How Exactly Do You Say 'Pecan'?

Running low on Thanksgiving debate material? No worries! Just ask your relatives one simple question: 'How do you say pecan?'

The Right Way to Say 'Pecan'

A plate of toasted pecans on a cutting board

Written by Terri McHugh

Contrary to what many think, how you pronounce 'pecan' is influenced by more than just your location relative to the Mason-Dixon line.

It's commonly believed that Southerners say 'pee-can' while Northerners say 'puh-kahn.' But according to the National Pecan Shellers Association (the leading authority on pecans), only 45% of Southerners prefer 'pee-can,' compared to 70% of Northerners.

As a native of Alabama, I've always said 'puh-kahn.' I asked about 20 colleagues and friends from all over the U.S., and nearly all of them—except one from Georgia—said 'pee-can.' So what's going on?

'Conventional wisdom suggests that pronunciation is a regional divide, split by the Mason-Dixon line,' writes Kathleen Purvis, author of *Pecans: A Savor the South Cookbook*, in a 2013 article for *Our State Magazine*. 'But in my experience, it's not about North vs. South. It's about urban vs. rural.'

Purvis adds, 'If you want to sound more down-home or country, say 'pee-can.' If you're going for a more polished, urban sound, try 'pah-cahn.''

Full transparency: This answer doesn't exactly match my own experience. (Then again, I’m not the one who wrote the definitive guide on pecans.)

I come from a long line of 'puh-kahn' speakers, and while my Southern family isn’t exactly full of hillbillies, we do lean more 'country' than 'urbane.'

On the other hand, my former coworker from Manhattan swears he eats 'pee-cans,' not 'puh-kahns.'

It seems there’s no clear answer in this case—so why not just skip the debate and enjoy your pie?

Pecan Basics

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

The pecan is a type of hickory nut native to northern Mexico and the southern United States.

While primarily grown in Georgia, the pecan is also a state symbol in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Pecans were a staple food for Native Americans long before European settlers arrived. Their long shelf life made them an ideal food source in pre-agricultural societies.

European explorers first encountered pecans in the 15th century, with the Spanish dubbing them 'nuez de la arruga,' or 'wrinkle nuts.' How appetizing!

Harvested between October and December, pecans are known for their rich, buttery flavor.

Pecans can be eaten raw, but they’re most commonly found in desserts like pecan pie and pralines.