Manufactured Peanut Products and Confections

Peanuts are the United States' ninth most valuable crop. Sixty-five percent are consumed directly (I), with peanut Butter accounting for 37% of this consumption (1.4 kg person) (2). Saltated peanut product and confections account for most of the remaining food uses. Some freshly-dug uncured peanuts are boiled in a 6% salt (boiled brine peanuts) mainly in south Georgia, north Florida and the Philippines (2) Most peanut products, however, are based on roasted peanuts (I). The remaining 35% of the crop is not consumed directly or is exported or crushed for oil. Outside the US., peanut oil is the most common end product. It is well-suited for deep fat frying because of a high smoke point (230°C) and lack of flavor carry-over (e.g., in frying meats) (3), and as a salad oil (4). In addition, after oil expulsion, the peanut cake may serve as a protein supplement(5)