Over 200 new and improved varieties exist today. The very popular variety, Cape Fear, was developed in Willard, NC, located in Duplin County, in 1945. Pecans were chosen as part of the astronauts diet on the Apollo 13 moon mission. For best taste and quality, pecans should be purchased fresh from the current seasons harvest. The color of an inshell pecan should be light brown and the shell should be smooth with no evidence of holes or other damage.
Some black markings occur on the shell and vary with variety.