Facts About North Carolina Peanuts

Types

• Peanuts are not actually nuts. Rather, they are members of the legume (bean) family. Although there are several popular varieties, the peanuts grown in North Carolina are called Virginia peanuts. These peanuts are large, oval-shaped nuts with reddish-brown skins. Virginia peanuts are the largest type of peanut and make up nearly 15 percent of the peanuts produced in America. They are sometimes referred to as the "peanut of gourmets."
  
  

Market

• North Carolina peanuts are very popular as a snack food because of their large size, crunchiness and all-around flavor. For this reason, most of the peanuts grown in the state are sold "in the shell" rather than being used in candies or ground up to make peanut butter.
  
  

Growing Practices

• North Carolina farmers typically use a three-year crop rotation cycle, alternating one year of peanuts with two years of grass-type crops to help control pests and weeds. However, it is not unusual to go as long as five years between crops. Planting methods are divided between raised beds and normal field plantings, as peanuts tend to grow faster and drain better when planted in beds. Sandy loam is the best ground for growing peanuts, which is why the major growing area is closer to the North Carolina coast. Very few peanuts are grown using irrigation.
  
  

Growing Season

• The best planting dates in northeastern North Carolina are the first 20 days of May, and the peanuts reach maturity in 145 to 165 days (five months or slightly more). When planted early, crops tend to yield larger harvests and larger fruit, but at the increased risk of damage from small insects called thrips. Thrips carry tomato spotted wilt virus, to which peanuts are susceptible.
  
  

Health Benefits

• Dr. Tim Sanders from the Agricultural Research Service in North Carolina has done research into the health benefits of peanuts and found that they have a substantial amount of a compound called resveratrol in both the skins and the nut. Resveratrol is a heart-healthy plant compound that is also found in grapes and red wine. It is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.