North Carolina Peanuts
Bold flavor and rich roots
Peanuts are the most popular nut in the world. Their high content of all three macronutrients make them a hearty and convenient choice for our nutrition, as does the distinct salty- sweet peanut flavor.
Small Nut, Big Deal
Here in NC we grow over 114,000 acres a year. Our local peanut industry touches us all, whether cracking into Hampton Peanuts at the game, indulging in salty boiled peanuts from the coast, or snacking on Bertie County Peanuts- Peanuts are a cherished staple to North Carolinian diets and agriculture.
Did you know?
Peanuts can be grown all over the world: Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas (they prefer a tropical/ subtropical climate so continents like Europe or Antarctica are not preferable for growing, but peanuts are still widely consumed in these places!
Rich Roots
Peanuts have a complex and often overlooked history, one shaped by colonization, conflict, and the resilience of oppressed peoples who found purpose and identity through the cultivation of cherished foods.
Believed to have originated in the regions of modern-day Brazil and Peru, peanuts have been part of human culture for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence, including peanut-shaped pottery and decorative artifacts, suggests their significance in South American societies over three millennia ago.
Their global journey began with Spanish colonization. Conquistadors transported peanut seeds to Europe, and from there, Spanish traders introduced them to Africa and Asia. In West Africa, peanuts quickly became an agricultural staple. Through the forced migration of enslaved Africans, peanuts crossed the Atlantic once more, this time to North America.
For much of the 18th and 19th centuries in the U.S., peanuts were associated with enslaved people and regarded as low-status food, unworthy of commercial value. However, that perception began to shift during the Civil War, when soldiers on both sides came to rely on peanuts as a dependable, energy-rich food source.By the early 20th century, interest in peanuts surged, thanks in part to the groundbreaking agricultural research of George Washington Carver. His promotion of the crop and development of innovative peanut-based products fueled a dramatic rise in peanut cultivation and helped reshape its image in American agriculture.
Today, peanuts are a celebrated commodity, especially in places like North Carolina, representing not just a popular snack, but a legacy of survival, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Origin & History of Peanuts. (n.d.). Virginia-Carolinas Peanut Promotions. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.aboutpeanuts.com/all-about-peanuts/origin-history-of-peanuts
Framing NC Peanuts
In the U.S, most peanuts are grown in 10 states across various regions. North Carolina consistently ranks around 5th in peanut production with approximately 500 million pounds produced annually. We represent the Virginia/Carolinas region with the Virginia peanut variety.
The Dirt on Peanut Cultivation
In North Carolina, peanut cultivation is a time-honored tradition rooted in generations of farming knowledge and ideal growing conditions. Peanuts are typically planted in late spring, once the soil warms to about 65–70°F. Farmers use specially adapted planters to sow the peanut seeds about two inches deep in sandy, well-drained soils- perfect for the underground growth of peanut pods.
As the plants grow, they bloom small yellow flowers that eventually produce "pegs," which burrow into the soil and develop into the peanuts themselves. Throughout the summer, farmers monitor for pests, weeds, and drought, carefully managing irrigation and soil health to ensure a strong yield.
Harvest usually begins in early fall. A digger lifts the peanut plants from the soil, inverting them so the pods can dry naturally in the sun. After a few days of curing, a combine separates the peanuts from the vines. Once harvested, the peanuts are cleaned, graded, and prepared for market, destined to become everything from roasted snacks to creamy peanut butter.
North Carolina’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and high-quality production has made the state a leader in peanut agriculture, feeding both a local legacy and a national demand.
