Virginia Peanuts Q and A- Let's talk peanuts!
It is always wonderful to present at shows and talk with people from across our great nation. I am so happy to hear that you are concerned about the foods you eat and ask questions about where peanuts come from. After all, you will not know if you do not ask. I decided to sit down and answer some of the questions we encountered while attending a recent food show. And yes, we are real fourth generation peanut farmers from Virginia!
Q: What are Virginia Peanuts?
A: Virginia peanuts are the largest of the four peanut varieties grown and usually contain two large elongated peanuts with light reddish skins.
Q: Why are Virginia peanuts so different?
A: Virginia peanuts are valued for their large size, beauty, excellent peanut flavor, meaty texture and high nutritional value. These peanuts are known as the "gourmet nut".
Q: Where are Virginia peanuts grown?
A: Virginia peanuts are predominantly grown in the southeastern corner of Virginia, the northeastern corner of North Carolina, South Carolina, and even portions of west Texas. In 2014, Southampton County’s peanut yield broke the national average with 4,350 pounds of peanuts per acre. Hope and Harmony Farms will harvest 390 acres of peanuts in 2017.
Q: Are Virginia Peanuts good for you?
A: Of course! Peanuts are good for all sorts of things and Virginia peanuts are no different. Peanuts are impressive nutrient powerhouses, in fact, they have more than 30 essential vitamins and nutrients. Eating foods rich in fiber, such as Virginia peanuts, can help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, help regulate your blood sugar and lower your cholesterol.
Fiber and Protein. These nutrients are designed to help you stay fuller longer after eating. In addition, they help to support your immune system and provide amino acids that are necessary for maintaining muscle tissue.
Peanuts are heart-friendly with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
Copper and Magnesium. Raw peanuts have a high level of copper and magnesium The copper found in raw peanuts helps to promote muscle function while helping your cells produce energy and aids in reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.
Folate and Vitamin E. Folate, also known as vitamin B-9 and vitamin E are both found in raw peanuts. These vitamins help with disease prevention and together they provide an abundance of benefits. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can boost the immune system and decrease the risk of heart disease, but research also shows vitamin E plays an important role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Peanuts contain vitamin B3 or niacin content whose many health benefits include normal brain functioning and boosting memory power.
Q: Are Virginia Peanuts GMO?
A: No. Actually, no peanuts are GMO . None are currently produced and none are currently on the market. While traditional breeding does help to increase peanut varieties, it does not introduce non-peanut genetics to the peanut plant. Therefore, the GMO peanut does not exist.