Good evening, how are you? As we move through the evening, I wanted to share our series featuring Food Holidays: March 8th, 2022. I can’t believe it’s National Peanut Cluster Day, can you? I need to send David to the store to pick some up for me. Because my diet can wait a day or two when it comes time to celebrate National Peanut Cluster Day. Would you like to have one or two with me?
- ‘Peanut Cluster’ is referred to a type of candy that mixes melted Chocolate and Peanuts.
- Peanut Clusters are a perfect combination of a sweet and salty deliciousness.
- There are several versions of Peanut Clusters including Caramel Clusters, and Chocolate Peanut Clusters.
- Did you know Peanuts have a higher antioxidant capacity than Grapes, Green Tea, and many more foods?
- Peanut Clusters have been around for many years dating way before 1912 when Peanut Clusters were made popular by the Goo Goo Cluster.
National Peanut Cluster Day falls on March 8 and this is the perfect day to indulge in Peanut Clusters which combine the sweetness of Chocolate and the crunchiness of Peanuts. With a flavor profile that lends a jolt to your taste buds, this Century-old invention continues to be one of the best-selling confectioneries in the U.S. Pull out your apron and gather your ingredients and let’s make Peanut Clusters.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PEANUT CLUSTER DAY
Ever since learning how Americans have loved adding Chocolate to food products. Including Strawberries to a Marshmallow, the desire to combine Chocolate with lesser tasting edibles has mostly proven right.
Similar were the urges of Howell Campbell, owner of Standard Candy Company based in Nashville, Tennessee, who decided to combine multiple types of confectionery items including Marshmallow Nougat, Roasted Peanuts, Caramel, coated in Milk Chocolate to form a candy bar. Little did Howell Campbell know, his invention would sail a thousand ships, as Howell Campbell would be introducing Peanuts and Chocolate to millions of Americans.
Goo Goo Cluster, Howell’s signature candy, became an American sensation, and people have not been able to walk away from the taste of Chocolate-covered Peanuts. The irresistibility of a Peanut Cluster is all due to the dynamic sensory contrast in our taste buds. The contrasting flavor of sweet and salty, topped with the altering textures of soft Chocolate and crunchy Peanuts, lights up a Christmas tree in our brain’s pleasure centers. Howell Campbell’s invention ushered in an entire genre of candies involving Peanuts, as the Nut soon became a prominently identifiable confectionery item.
Major players like Reese’s Pieces and Snickers have co-opted the hit formula of combining Chocolates and Peanuts, nothing offers the most delectable version of this vintage duo other than a Peanut Cluster which are easy to make, and Peanut Cluster stores well, and the taste of a Peanut Cluster never gets old. Although we can’t find the exact originator of the Holiday, let’s thank them, nonetheless.
NATIONAL PEANUT CLUSTER DAY ACTIVITIES
- Visit your local candy store and ‘til you drop. Pick up all the varieties of Peanut Bars. It’s been months since Halloween, and National Peanut Cluster Day is the perfect excuse to gorge on candy.
- People love the traditional Peanut Clusters, but did you know there are many other varieties? Including Caramel and Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters.
- Peanut Clusters are easy to make and if you are confident in your Chocolate skills and can roast and salt Peanuts, then all that’s left is to combine them, and there you have Peanut Clusters.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PEANUTS TO CRUNCH YOUR KNOWLEDGE
- In the U.S. Peanuts are the seventh most valuable crop in the U.S. and have a farm value of over one billion U.S. dollars.
- Peanut-based candies are extremely popular in the U.S and out of the surveyed top 10 most loved candies, five were found to be Peanut-based.
- The introduction of Peanuts into a diet at a young age can reduce the chance of developing Nut allergies.
- Peanuts pack more antioxidants than Green Tea, grapes, spinach, and healthier Nuts and Berries.
- The invention of Peanut combination candy bars marks the beginning of mass retail confectionery production in America.
WHY EVRRYONE LOVES NATIONAL PEANUT CLUSTER DAY
- Chocolate and Peanuts are great when eaten individually, but as a pair Chocolate and Peanuts are yummy. Biting into the crunch of Peanuts as the Chocolate melts in your mouth is enough reason to wolf down Peanut Clusters in a single sitting.
- A spoonful of Peanut Butter a day can give you vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more protein than any other Nut. Peanuts are harmless and delicious, and on National Peanut Cluster Day, when we celebrate Peanuts with their best-suited partner Chocolate.
- Peanut Clusters are one of the oldest confectioneries in America, with Peanuts industrial production dating back to 1912. This iconic recipe has inspired many spin-offs and is credited for popularizing Peanuts in North America.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
