Candied Nuts

Who isn’t nuts about candied nuts? Caramelized nuts with salt can perk your mood while the sweet and spicy candied nuts make you thirst for beer! Candied nuts are a healthy source of protein and carbohydrates but it also increases your craving for other flavors and candied nut varieties. With that, candied nuts are well-loved treats for pubs, bars, and cafes. You wouldn’t notice the time until you run out of candied nuts.185

Candied Nut Trivia

• Walnuts are the world’s oldest nuts. The oldest walnut artifacts can be found in Iran tracing back to 50,000 B.C. The Greeks and Romans were so fond of these nuts, they labeled it as “Food for the Gods.”
• You can only harvest Macadamia nuts once they have fallen into the ground. It is advised not to shake Macadamia trees during the harvesting process as you might dislodge immature nuts. However, shaking Macadamia trees also removes old husks and is an effective way to eliminate diseases and prevent fungi infection.
• Like walnuts, Pistachios are a pre-historic snack. Pistachios are one of the oldest flowering trees and have been consumed for almost 9000 years. The green and purples hues of Pistachios are indicators of its rich antioxidants.
• Pecans are the official nut of Texas. It is considered to be a purely American nut and is honored every April during the National Pecan Month.

Candied Nut Buying Guide

You can choose a variety of candied nuts flavors that will appease your cravings. Plain, sugar-coated nuts are the classic choice but you can also opt for other varieties such as sweet and salty, beer candied, spicy, herbed, and spiced candied nuts

Freshly made and naturally preserved candied nuts should have a pleasant nutty aroma. If it smells waxy or if it has absorbed the smell of the paper box, then it’s time to toss them out. Nuts should maintain their creamy, nutty flavor. A sour and bitter taste indicates that your nuts are spoiled.

Candied Nut Production & Farming in Texas

Making Candied Nuts begins with picking your choice of nuts in Texas.

Pecans are the only commercially grown nuts in Texas because of its strong, native origins to the State. With its rich agricultural landscapes, sandy-loam soils, and a suitable climate, Texas holds an annual production yield of 60 million pounds of Pecans.

Although Texan weather is not that suitable for almonds, you can still enjoy the Texas Mission Almond Trees farmed in the heart of East Texas.

Walnut farming in Texas is easy as wild Black Walnut trees thrive in sunny areas with deep soils.

Less than 10 producers grow Pistachio nuts in Texas because of seasonal restraints and difficulties in disease prevention.

If you don’t have time to make candied nuts, choose among the different local producers and artisans who produce fresh batches daily.

Preservatives and Chemicals

While candied nuts are fun to consume, you should be wary of the chemicals and preservatives that can harm your body. Mold inhibitors can impact the flavor of food when added in large quantities. Artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup can escalate blood sugar levels and fat content risking people with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune diseases.

Packaging

Candied nuts are usually packages in stand-up pouches, sachet ouches, and flat bottom bags. If you want to give your homemade candied nuts an elegant, rustic appearance, add some ribbons, twines, or even your personalized sticker to transform it into an edible gift.

Enjoying Candied Nuts

Candied nuts are a great snack that will provide you with a daily protein dosage, coated with sweet caramel. Eat it as a quick snack or pair it with salted nuts, chips, and green peas for extra texture.

You can also use it as toppings for your favorite cakes and ice cream or add it to cookies, bars, salads, and your meat stuffing.

Storage

Storing candied nuts properly is essential to maintain freshness and extend shelf-life. Candied nuts stored in an airtight container can last for a week, you can refrigerate it for three weeks, and freeze it for up to two months.

Cooking

CANDIED PECANS

Ingredients

1 cup pecans

1/4 Cup (60ml) maple syrup

1 1/2 Tbsp (18g) sugar substitute

1/2 Tsp cinnamon

Procedure:

1. Spray cooking pan with non-stick spray.
2. Coat pecans evenly in pancake syrup.
3. Cook on medium heat until the maple syrup caramelizes and coats the nuts.
4. Transfer the nuts to parchment paper. Coat with 1 tbsp sugar substitute and ½ tsp cinnamon.
5. Transfer the nuts back to the pan, until the sugars caramelize.
6. Remove nuts. Stir and coat with the remaining ½ tbsp sugar.
7. Transfer it to parchment paper to cool and dry and store in an airtight jar.

Notes: The longer you dry it, the crunchier it becomes.