Is Pecan the superfood we’ve been sleeping on? PVR INOX makes a case for it

For the past year, I’ve been having what I like to call my superfood girlie era. What started with just the avocado slowly escalated to walnuts, chia seed pudding, kale juice and most recently, pecans. My first proper introduction to pecans was at my sister’s house, and clearly, I was obsessed because my next move was buying myself an entire kilogram during my recent trip to Kashmir. So when an invite landed for PVR INOX’s seven-week Pecan Food Festival, it felt less like a sign from the universe adding to my latest obsession.

PVR INOX has partnered with the American Pecan Council for the festival, bringing the distinctive, buttery flavour of American pecans to 33 select cinemas across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Running from July 17 to August 30, 2026, the seven-week celebration features a limited-edition menu curated by Chef Mayank Tiwari, Group Executive Chef, PVR INOX Limited, and is essentially pecans making their way out of the snack bowl and into the cinema kitchen. And there’s actually more to this little nut than its satisfying crunch. A 28-gram serving, roughly 19 pecan halves contains about 196 calories, 2.7 grams of fibre and 20.4 grams of fat, the majority of which is unsaturated, including around 11.6 grams of monounsaturated fat. Pecans also contain plant sterols, flavonoids and vitamin E compounds, making them a nutrient-dense addition to your diet. (Yes, I did my bit of research)

While pecans have long been familiar in festive baking and premium grocery aisles, they remain relatively less explored in everyday Indian cooking compared with almonds, cashews and walnuts. The American Pecan Council has been actively trying to change that, with India now identified as an important emerging market through trade missions, importer partnerships, retail, hospitality and e-commerce initiatives. Chef Tiwari tells me that the idea came from a growing awareness around what audiences are eating: “As the audiences become more aware of what they’re consuming, it felt like the right time to introduce this pecan-special menu to our cinemas.” And this isn’t where the experiment ends. “Not just pecans, we’ll also be doing this with pistachio, cranberry, avocado, etc,” he adds.

The menu is currently available at select Director’s Cut, Gold Class, INSIGNIA and LUXE cinemas, taking the pecan well beyond its usual sweet-and-festive comfort zone. There’s Salted Pecan and Caramel Pecan for the snackers, a Roasted Beetroot & Candied Pecan Salad, Pecan Nut Pesto Penne in vegetarian and chicken versions, and then the full dessert situation – a Cookie Dough & Pecan Shake, Brownie with Ice Cream & Pecan, and even Pecan Sundae Popcorn.

I started with the Caramel Pecan, which felt like the apt snack to munch on while watching Spider Man: Brand New Day, without the guilt. Then came the Pecan Nut Pesto Penne, and the sauce was incredibly rich and creamy, with the nuttiness of the pecans giving the pesto a deeper, almost buttery finish. If you have a serious sweet tooth, though, save room for Chef recommended – the Cookie Dough & Pecan Shake. You’ll keep coming back for it.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Limited, said “A great film will always be at the heart of the cinema experience, but today’s audiences also value everything that surrounds it. From the ambience and hospitality to the food and beverages they enjoy, every touchpoint contributes to making a visit truly memorable. At PVR INOX, we are continuously investing in these moments to create experiences that are immersive and distinctive. Our collaboration with the American Pecan Council reflects this philosophy. By bringing globally celebrated ingredients into our cinemas through thoughtfully curated menus, we continue to offer audiences fresh flavours, new discoveries and memorable dining experiences.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Market Representative, American Pecan Council, said, “We are delighted to partner with PVR INOX to bring the Pecan Food Festival to movie lovers across India. This collaboration offers a unique platform to showcase the exceptional taste, versatility, and nutritional benefits of American pecans through innovative recipes, while inspiring consumers to explore new and wholesome snacking experiences.”

So, has my superfood era officially entered its cinema phase? Apparently, yes. And considering I already have a kilogram of pecans sitting at home, I’m clearly committed to the bit.

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