Pecan Varieties

Pecans are the only tree nut that is truly native to North America and they are one of the largest fruit bearing trees. A maintained acre will produce up to one thousand pounds of pecans a season. Pecans are more traditionally associated with the South and Georgia leads the nation in pecan production since the late 1800’s. There are more than 500 varieties of pecans exist today. Varieties commonly planted in Georgia orchards include Cape Fear, Desirable, Elliott, Schley, Stuart and Sumner:

Cape Fear: Originated in Willard, N.C., at the North Carolina agricultural experiment station. It is an offspring of the Schley. The shell has dark stripes and the pecan kernels are creamy to golden brown in color.

Desirable: One of the first pecan varieties developed from a controlled cross in the early 20th century. The nuts are larger than Stuart pecans, with a medium-thick shell that stands up to mechanical harvesting and shelling and they are very much in demand. Desirable pecans are good in flavor and good in color. These are the best pecans for roasting and the color and flavor are retained during the roasting process.

Elliott: One of the most flavorful pecans and a favorite with the pecan growers. It comes from a small, round shell, and yields a round pecan half. The great thing about Elliot pecans are that they are disease-resistant and perfect for home cultivation. The trees are slow to bear and not a heavy producer, which also makes them great for home cultivation.

Schley: Originating in Jackson County, MS (where I was born and raised) and named in honor of Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in the Spanish-American War. They are considered the standard in the pecan industry and used extensively in breeding, as with the Cape Fear pecan. They have a superior flavor and slender appearance, both in and out of the shell. Their thin shell doesn’t hold up to mechanical harvesting though.

Stuart: An older variety and the dominant pecan in the U.S. pecan industry, the Stuart pecan is resistant to winter temperatures and disease. It produces a large nut with high production and the thick shell protects the nut from mechanical harvesting, but nuts aren’t produced as soon as Desirable.

Sumner: Discovered in 1932 in Tift County by Walter E. Sumner. Sumner has been and is currently being planted to a limited extent in Georgia, primarily in the southeastern part of the state. Thin shell is oblong, smooth and glossy, and has a distinguishing crease at the apex. Shell color is light brown with black markings. These nuts have also been dubbed "jumbo Schley".

You want to buy your pecans at peak harvest season when they are plentiful.

Pecans are perishable because of their high oil content and they must be stored properly to maintain good quality and flavor. To keep your pecans fresh all year: At home, unshelled pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for three to six months. Shelled pecans need to be either refrigerated in airtight containers for up to nine months, or frozen in zipper locked freezer bags for up to two years. Pecans can be frozen and refrozen for at least two years without loss of flavor or texture.