Why buy peanuts from FERIDIES? That is a great question,
because not all peanuts are created equal! Did you know that there are 4
different types of peanuts? At FERIDIES, we specialize in the Virginia-type
peanut, but you may be more familiar with Runners, which are used to make
peanut butter and candy bars.
4 Types of Peanuts
- Virginia-type peanuts are known for their large size and crunchy texture
and have been referred to as "the peanut of the gourmet."
Virginia peanuts have the largest kernels and are popular for roasting-in-the-shell.
Virginias are most often grown in southeastern Virginia and northeastern
North Carolina.
- Spanish-type peanuts have small kernels covered with reddish-brown
skin and are used mostly in peanut candies, snack nuts and peanut butter.
They are often crushed for peanut oil since they have a higher oil content
than other peanuts. Spanish peanuts are usually grown in Texas and Oklahoma.
- The Valencia variety usually has three or more small kernels to a
pod, each covered in a bright-red skin. These peanuts have a sweet flavor,
and they are most often roasted and sold in-the-shell or boiled. Valencias
are most commonly grown in New Mexico.
- Runners are the most well-known and consumed peanuts. Over 50% of
the Runner variety are used for peanut butter and the rest are used
in candy and snacks. They are known for their consistent, medium kernel
size. They are primarily produced in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas
and Oklahoma.
Although many think of peanuts as nuts that grow on trees, they are actually
"legumes" like peas. A "seed peanut" is planted in May
to form a small green plant about 18" tall. The peanut plant produces
yellow flowers, which pollinate themselves. They form "pegs" which
begin to grow away from the plant. The pegs form a stem and push into the
ground where the peanuts will form and grow. Peanuts are harvested between
September and October which allows them four to five months to fully mature.
The weather conditions during this time (i.e., too much rain or too little
rain) have an impact on the quality of the crop. One peanut plant produces
about 40 peanuts. The peanuts are then dug out of the ground and left in
the sun to dry for two or three days. A combine is used to separate the
peanuts from the vines. The peanut farmer sells the peanuts to shellers
who clean and grade the raw nuts before selling them to companies like FERIDIES.
Why FERIDIES Peanuts?
So what makes FERIDIES Virginia Peanuts better than all of the rest? At
FERIDIES, we select the largest 2% of the crop each year - the super, extra-large
Virginia-type peanut. We gently roast them in small batches by hand in pure
peanut oil to keep them cholesterol free, to preserve their natural peanut
taste and to maintain their healthy qualities. No artificial preservatives
are added.
In addition, to our delicious gourmet Virginia peanuts, we offer peanut
candies, cashews, pistachios, almonds, trail mixes and other specialty gourmet
foods. We believe our packaging is upscale and makes a worthy gift. You
will find several gift creations to choose from in a variety of price ranges.
There is something for everyone on your gift list and to satisfy your own
peanut cravings!
As a family-owned and operated business for 37 years, our most important
priorities are food safety, quality and exceptional customer service. We
want your shopping experience to be easy, convenient, informational and
affordable.
Shelf Life & Storage Tips
STORAGE
Fresh peanuts are the best peanuts! To maintain the best eating quality,
store peanuts in a cool, dry place at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. (Peanuts
keep fresh indefinitely if stored in a tightly closed container in the freezer.)
SHELF LIFE OF PEANUTS
| Product |
Shelf Life |
| Peanuts in Clear Cello Bags |
4 to 6 weeks |
| Peanuts, Peanut Candies, and other Nuts in Vacuum-Sealed Cans or
Bags |
9 months to 1 year |
| Peanuts in 6oz Silver Bags |
6 months |
| Roasted in the Shell Peanuts |
2 months |
| Raw Peanuts |
Indefinitely if kept in a cool, dry place |
SHELF LIFE OF SPECIALTY FOODS
| Product |
Shelf Life |
| Petite Boneless Cooked Ham |
10 days off refrigeration; 8 weeks refrigerated; 1 year frozen |
| Cooked Virginia Ham Slices |
10 days off refrigeration; 5 weeks refrigerated; 1 year frozen |
| Southampton County Country Cured Ham |
Indefinitely, if kept in cool, dry temperatures |
| Cheese Straws |
9 months |
| Sweet Potato Biscuits |
10 days off refrigeration; 1 month refrigerated; 6 months frozen |
|
Nutritional Information
Peanuts are GOOD FOR YOU! We all know the popularity of
the "fat free" diet in the 1990s. Peanuts were given a bad name
by some because of their fat content; however, research now shows that peanuts
are a wise food choice for several reasons:
- Peanuts are high in protein providing 12% of the Recommended Daily
Allowances per serving (one ounce or about 25 peanuts).
- Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free.
- Each 1 oz serving of peanuts contain 2.4 grams of dietary fiber, which
helps reduce the risk of some types of cancer, helps the digestive system,
and helps control blood sugar levels.
- Peanuts contain phytosterols, which are plant chemicals, believed
to inhibit cancer growth.
- Peanuts contain 6 essential vitamins including vitamin E, folic acid,
niacin, thiamin, B6 and riboflavin. Peanuts are also rich in 7 essential
minerals including copper, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, potassium,
zinc and calcium - which may have a protective effect for coronary heart
disease.
- Peanuts are an excellent source of the "good" fat, mono-unsaturated,
which helps to lower our cholesterol. Research has shown that monounsaturated
fats lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol in our blood while raising the
HDL (good) cholesterol in our blood. This decreases our risks of heart
disease and cardiovascular disease.
- Peanuts are an excellent source of resveratrol, best known for its
occurrence in red wine. Research shows that resveratrol may protect
against arteriosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and cancer by lowering
cholesterol plaque and platelet accumulation in the arteries and by
preventing the growth of damaged cells in the body. The average amount
of resveratrol in one ounce of peanuts is about the same as 6 cups (or
2 pounds) of grapes.
- Studies at Penn State University, Harvard University and Purdue University
concluded that weight-loss plans including peanuts were more satisfying
and led to greater rates of successful weight-loss than other plans.
- Research at Harvard University suggests that women eating the equivalent
of a handful of nuts or one tablespoon of peanut butter at least five
times a week are more than 20% less likely to develop adult-onset or
type 2 diabetes than those who rarely or never ate those products. Nuts
contain fiber and magnesium, which help maintain balanced insulin and
glucose levels. Insulin helps the body convert sugar into energy. Diabetes
occurs when the body cannot produce or properly use insulin.
Here is another great article about the wonderful benefits of peanuts:
http://www.healinglifestyles.com/index.php/peanuts-ed
For more information on peanuts and research studies, log onto The Peanut
Institute website at www.peanut-institute.org
or call 1-888-8PEANUT.
|
