• 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.

Nutritional Information