From peanut butter to roasted snacks and candies, peanuts are popular nuts used in cuisines all around the world! They’re easy to grow, fairly affordable, and above all, they taste great in a wide variety of recipes! But did you know that there are 4 different types of peanuts on the market with different flavors and sizes?
In fact, the peanuts used for making peanut butter might be different from the ones you snack on casually! One thing you should know is that all these different types of peanuts come from the same plant, which is Arachis hypogaea.
However, these varieties have emerged from years of selective and wild breeding. If you want to know everything about these 4 types, keep on reading!
1. Runner Peanuts
General Description
Runner peanuts are by far the most common type of peanuts grown in the U.S. and the most popular variety of peanuts among consumers.
In fact, Runner Peanuts are a group of multiple subtypes of peanuts that all make up the runners.
They make up to 80% of all peanuts grown in the U.S. with over 1.3 million acres growing them across the peanut-producing states. They were only introduced in the 1940s, but their popularity has skyrocketed ever since because of their characteristics.
The kernels of the runner peanuts are known for being uniform in size and having a delicious taste. Also, they roast quite easily and have high yields, which is why a lot of states have shifted to cultivating them. In fact, Georgia is one of the states that currently almost only grows runner-type peanuts.
In addition to Georgia, other states that are popular for cultivating peanuts are Alabama, Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. The peanuts require sandy and well-drained soil as well as a warm climate to grow, which is available in all these states.
Outside of the United States, runner peanuts are also the most commonly grown ones in many producing countries, such as India. However, runner peanuts might go by different names there, such as “bold peanuts”.
What They’re Commonly Used for
Since they’re the most commonly consumed type and due to their exceptionally great taste and consistency, runner peanuts are used for making peanut butter, as well as making salted peanuts in confectionery and candies.
Common Subtypes
As previously mentioned, runner peanuts are made up of a variety of different subtypes that are almost indistinguishable by the general public. These subtypes include:
- Florunner
- Georgia green
- Flavor runner 458
- Tamrun 96
- North Carolina runner
- Southern runner
- Southeastern runner 56-15
- Dixie runner
- Early runner
- Virginia bunch 67
- Bradford runner
- Egyptian giant
- Rhodesian Spanish Bunch
- Virugard
- Georgia Brown
- GK-7
- Sunrunner
Tips for Purchasing
When purchasing runner peanuts, you should make sure that they’re plump and uniform in size, as uniformity is one of their most common characteristics of a good runner-type peanut.
If you’re buying them with kernels, they should make a subtle rattle if they’re shaken because of the size uniformity.
How to Store Them
Runner peanuts can be stored if they’re shelled for almost a month or two in the pantry.
However, once they’re unshelled, they must be refrigerated and kept in an air-tight jar or bag to stay fresh. Alternatively, runner peanuts can be stored in the freezer for up to one year.
Nutritional Facts
While all peanuts types have very similar nutritional value, runner peanuts are known for their balanced sodium, potassium, and total fat content, which is the reason they taste so great!
They have 48 gm of total fats, 18 mg of sodium, and 705 mg of potassium per 100 gms of peanuts. (567 calories)
2. Spanish Peanuts
General Description
Spanish peanuts are bunch-type peanuts. They have smaller kernels, oblong shape, and are popular for their bright red to reddish-brown skins that adhere to the peanut.
This type was the most popular one in the States until the runner peanuts were developed and overtook the throne. Currently, they only make up 2% of the total production.
The peanuts got their name because they were introduced to the world and developed in Spain, although they actually come from Brazil. It’s the most common type of peanuts in China where they’re called “Hsuji”, making it the most commonly consumed type of peanut outside of the U.S.
What They’re Commonly Used for
Spanish peanuts can be used for making peanut butter. However, since they score higher in terms of shelf life, they’re more commonly used in salted snacks and the peanut candy industry, such as peanut chocolate bars.
Common Subtypes
Similar to the Runner peanuts, the Spanish ones also have their own subtypes. However, they have fewer varieties in comparison. The subtypes include:
- The Argentine
- The Improved Spanish 2B
- Natal Common
- Ole Spanish
- Georgia-045
- Spanco
- Tamspan 90
- Pronto
- Comet
- Shaffers Spanish
- Dixie Spanish
- Spanhoma
- Spancross
- GFA Spanish
- Spantex
- Olin
Tips for Purchasing
If you want to get the best Spanish peanuts, make sure that you look for peanuts with reddish-brown skin. The ideal Spanish peanuts will have a consistent color and size with an oblong shape rather than a round one. You might find some with streaks on the red skin. These are perfectly normal and taste great, too.
How to Store Them
As previously mentioned, the Spanish peanuts’ longer shelf life is one of the reasons they’re a staple in the candy and snacks bars industry. They can be stored in the freezer for over a year or left in an airtight, dry, and cool area in your pantry for a couple of months.
Nutritional Facts
When compared to other types of peanuts, Spanish peanuts have the highest peanut oil content. This makes it excellent for peanut crushers and those consuming peanut oils.
Since it’s rich in oleic acid – a highly beneficial monounsaturated fatty acid – the Spanish variety is popular among weight watchers and athletic people.
For that reason, a lot of recent research has been done to produce varieties that are even richer in the fatty acid. The Ole Spanish is the outcome of one of these extensive trials, which was released in 2015.
Per 100 gm of red Spanish peanuts, there is 49 gm of total fats, 22 gm of sodium, 744 gm of potassium. (570 calories)
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3. Virginia Peanuts
General Description
Virginia peanuts are known for being the largest peanuts in terms of size. The peanuts are mainly grown in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Mexico, Floria, Texas, and Oklahoma.
They’re often called “cocktail nuts” and are roasted while in the shells. They’re slowly gaining popularity in today’s market and currently make up about 10% of the national yield.
What They’re Commonly Used for
Due to their large size, they’re usually in-demand for salted and packaged peanuts in the snacking industry and are rarely used for making peanut butter.
Common Subtypes
The most common subtypes of Virginia peanuts are the largest ones, which are commonly sold as packages in stadiums and ballparks, including:
- Champs
- Gregory
- Perry
- Wilson
- Florida Fancy
- Phillips
- Wynne
- Baily
- Titan
- Sullivan
Tips for Purchasing
Virginia peanuts are the Cadillac of the peanut world. Since their size is their largest asset, make sure that you buy large ones that almost don’t rattle when they’re shaken. Also, since they’re roasted in shells, buying them unshelled might not be ideal.
How to Store Them
Keep the peanuts shelled in an airtight jar rather than a bag to make sure that you don’t crack the shells. They’re good for almost a year in the freezer or a couple of months in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Facts
They have 48 gm of fats per 100 gms of peanuts as well as 10 mg of sodium and 690 mg of potassium.
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4. Valencia Peanuts
General Description
Lastly, Valencia peanuts are the least frequently grown type in the States. They’re mainly produced in certain regions in West Texas, Tennessee, and New Mexico. The peanuts are known for being the sweetest of the four and have similar bright skin to the one found in Spanish peanuts.
What They’re Commonly Used for
Due to their sweet taste, they’re mostly used for boiled peanuts and all-natural homemade peanut butter.
Common Subtypes
They’re mainly categorized into “Valencia A” and “Valencia B” varieties. Sometimes they’re called “Tennessee Red” and “Tennessee White”
Tips for Purchasing
Look for peanuts without cracks and undamaged shells. You can test that out by inspecting some of the peanuts for scars and wormholes.
How to Store Them
They can be stored in shells (preferred) or unshelled. Since they’re used for homemade recipes, they’re best kept in the freezer where they can last anywhere between 9 to 12 months.
Nutritional Facts
They have 47 gm of fats per 100 gms of peanuts, as well as 1 mg of sodium and 332 mg of potassium.
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Wrap Up
There you have it. A complete guide that walks you through all the 4 different types of peanuts that you can find on the market!
While all these varieties come from the same plant, each of them has its own characteristics that qualify it for different uses according to the market condition. Be sure that you get yourself a bag of these types of peanuts and have a taste test, yourself!
