Basic Introduction to Dawu Peanuts
Dawu peanuts are a specialty of Dawu County, Hubei Province, and a Chinese national geographical indication product. The pods of Dawu peanuts are typically common or axe-head shaped, with thin shells and clear net patterns. They are small in size but full of seeds; the kernel shape is oval, with a light pink seed coat color and uniform size. They have a taste that is fragrant, crispy, and slightly sweet. Dawu peanuts have high protein content and moderate oil content, making them an ideal variety for roasting. Roasted Dawu peanuts have prominent features such as being fragrant with a hint of sweetness, oily without being greasy, finely textured without residue, and pleasantly crunchy. The annual planting area of Dawu peanuts is around 320,000 mu (approx. 21,333 hectares), with an annual total production exceeding 70,000 tons. Dawu County is one of the key peanut-producing areas in Hubei Province and is famously known as a “peanut capital” in China. It has been listed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Hubei Province as one of the first batch of national peanut base counties and a peanut commodity production base in Hubei Province. In December 2012, “Dawu Peanuts” passed the review by the expert panel of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine and was officially included in the protection of its place of origin, becoming a protected geographical indication product.
Nutritional Value
The fruit of peanuts contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, as well as minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. They also contain all eight essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids, along with lecithin, choline, beta-carotene, crude fiber, and other substances. The fat content is 44-45%, the protein content is 24-36%, and the sugar content is about 20%. They are rich in Vitamins B2, PP, A, D, E, as well as calcium and iron. They also contain thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and various other vitamins. Peanuts promote the development of brain cells and enhance memory.
Product Characteristics
Dawu peanuts are characterized by their small size, full seeds, rich nutrition, and distinctive taste that is fragrant, crispy, and slightly sweet. Dawu peanuts have a high protein content, reaching 29.87%, which is 1.9-5.9% higher than those from other producing areas. The fat content is moderate at 52.43%, and they are rich in 17 essential amino acids, with a total amino acid content of 27.02%. Roasted Dawu peanuts have a unique rich and fragrant aroma, and the taste is characterized by a sweet fragrance, oiliness without greasiness, a fine texture without residue, and a pleasantly crunchy mouthfeel.
Historical Folklore
The “Dawu County Gazetteer” records that the history of growing peanuts in Dawu County dates back hundreds of years, with cultivation beginning during the end of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty and gradually becoming popular by the early Republican era, covering large areas. The “Huang'an County Gazetteer” states: Huangpi Station (today's Huangzhan Town in Dawu County) is located ninety miles northwest of the county seat and served as a postal relay station between the capital and the region during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The northeastern part of the county is mountainous, while the west is hilly, and there are plains along the riverbanks in the central and northern parts, where peanut cultivation enjoys a good reputation. According to the “Dawu County Statistical Yearbook,” over the past 60 years, the production of Dawu peanuts has gone through four periods: the inheritance stage, the stagnant period, the rapid development stage, and the stable development stage. From 1950 to 1960 was the first period, when traditional cultivation practices were followed. The second period, from the 1960s to the late 1970s, was a stagnant period for peanut production. The third period extended from the 1980s to 1995. The fourth period began in 1997 and continues to this day as a period of stable and continuous development for Dawu peanut cultivation.
In 1957, it was awarded the title of “Peanut Capital” and “One of the First Batch of National Peanut Base Counties.” In 1986, it was designated as a “Peanut Commodity Production Base” by Hubei Province. In 2006, it was approved as a “National Agricultural Standardization Demonstration Zone for Green Food Dawu Peanuts.”