The peanut is a native to the Western Hemisphere, originating in South America and expanding throughout the New World as Spanish explorers discovered the peanut’s versatility. Later, traders were responsible for spreading the peanut to Asia and Africa. The peanut made its way to North America on sailing ships in the 1700’s. At that time, there were few peanut farms in the United States. Peanuts were not grown in abundance due to a lack of interest in peanut farming, as peanuts were regarded as “food for the poor”.
After the Civil War, the demand for peanuts increased. Expansion, development, harvesting, shelling, and processing techniques played a major role in the peanut industry at the end of the 19th century. Peanut products – peanut oil, roasted and salted peanuts, peanut butter, and confections – were in demand by the 20th century. Today there are more than 300 uses for peanuts from recipes to institutional, baking, industrial, and confectionery products.
Peanut Portfolio
- Shelled or raw inshell peanuts
- Blanched processed peanuts
- Organic peanuts
U.S. peanuts fall into four basic types:
- Runner
- Virginia
- Spanish
- Valencia
Inshell Peanuts
Inshell peanuts are usually produced from large Virginia or Valencia type peanuts. Commodity available in:
- Salted in the shell
- Roasted in the shell