Pecans are harvested in NC from late October through December. Pecans should be purchased from the current year crop to ensure a high-quality product.

Select plump pecans that are uniform in size and golden brown in color.

In shell pecans should be light brown in color and smooth with no evidence of holes or other damage. Fresh, in shell pecans will appear dusty, and they will have distinctive black markings on the shell.

The high oil content in pecans will cause rancidity if not properly stored.

• Pecans can be stored refrigerated, shelled or unshelled, at 32 - 35 degrees for up to 9 months. Refrigeration is preferred for retaining the best possible flavor.
• Pecans can be frozen shelled or unshelled, at 0 degrees for up to 2 years.

Pecans should be stored in airtight containers such as glass jars or heat-sealed polypropylene bags.

Pecans can be thawed and refrozen repeatedly without loss of flavor or texture.

After removal from cold storage, pecans will stay fresh for about 2 months.