Welcome to our series featuring Food Holidays: September 12th, 2022. Today is National Peanut Day. To celebrate this holiday I am going to see if Charlie wants to make Peanut Butter Cookies once I finish my lunch of a Peanut Butter Sandwich and a glass of Milk. Would you like to join me for lunch?
National Peanut Day
National Peanut Lovers Day is celebrated on March 15th every year. This holiday is dedicated to fans of Peanuts and the Legume itself. The Peanut is, as a matter of fact, a member of the Legume family including Peas, Beans, or Lentils. Did you know that the average American consumes about six pounds of Nuts per year? Peanuts are more than just nature’s sweet snacks, Peanuts are also healthy and packed with important nutrients especially protein. Scientists say Nut eaters may live longer than non-consumers. Peanuts may be enjoyed alone, or in various Nut-based treats.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PEANUT LOVERS DAY
Peanuts, like every popular crop today, have come a long way. The Peanut is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions across the world, it is believed that the plant is native to South America. By the 1700s, the plant made its way to North America through Spanish explorers. Subsequently, Spanish returnees brought Peanuts to Europe with them, and cross-continental merchants took Peanuts to Africa and Asia.
Although several commercial Peanut Farms existed in the U.S. as early as the Eighteenth Century, they were only a handful. For a long time, Peanuts were almost exclusive to the Southern U.S. This was largely due to the crop’s tedious cultivation and harvesting techniques, and partly because Peanuts were believed to be food for the indigent. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that the demand for Peanuts took off and grew beyond the Southern U.S.
At the close of the Nineteenth Century, technological innovations simplified the production, harvesting, and processing of Peanuts. This led to the growth and popularity of the industry. With high-tech, automated machines, it’s now easier to produce, package, store, and market Peanut-based products including Butter, Oil, and various tasty treats.
There are four varieties of Peanuts which are common in the U.S. the Runner, the Spanish, Valencia, and Virginia. The Runner is the most popular variety of Peanuts, constituting about 80% of the Peanuts cultivated in the U.S., while sweet-flavored Valencia is the least cultivated type of Peanut, accounting for less than 1% of Peanut production in the U.S. Today, the U.S. exports Peanuts to different Countries around the world, with the crop contributing about four billion dollars to the economy annually.
NATIONAL PEANUT LOVERS DAY ACTIVITIES
- Dothan, Alabama is known as the “Peanut Capital of the World”, and the City hosts the National Peanut Festival every year. Take a trip to Dothan to see Peanut Farms and catch a live experience of the harvest.
- If you can’t travel, that’s all right. You can also celebrate National Peanut Lovers Day by sharing your favorite Peanut snacks with your family.
- Peanuts remain one of the most versatile Nuts. There are many ways to enjoy Peanuts in snacks, including Butter, Oil, and so many more.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PEANUTS
- Americans spend almost $800 million a year on Peanut Butter.
- It takes about 540 Peanuts to produce a 12-ounce jar of Peanut Butter.
- Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Thomas Jefferson were Peanut Farmers.
- Goober is a nickname for Peanuts which comes from ‘nguba,’ a Bantu name for ‘Peanuts.’
- Americans eat about 800 million pounds of Peanut Butter approximately 500 billion Peanuts each year.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL PEANUT LOVERS DAY
- Peanuts have traveled the world and National Peanut Lovers Day celebrates the Peanuts humble origin and great history.
- It’s no coincidence that two-thirds of all snack Nuts consumed in the U.S. include Peanuts. Oil, Butter. Americans love Peanuts in all forms.
- Peanuts consist of healthy nutrients including Protein, Vitamins, Fiber, and good Fats. Peanuts are also heart-healthy and are a good source of long-lasting energy.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
