The Peanut migrated to Sedley after originating in South America where archeologists have unearthed peanut-shaped jars made by the Inca Indians of Peru. It is believed that Spanish explorers carried peanuts from Peru to Africa and Asia. Considered a valuable food by the African natives, the peanut was eventually brought to the Virginia colony aboard slave ships. Although tobacco and cotton were the leading cash crops in the South, peanuts gained more popularity during the War Between the States. Both Union and Confederate troops relied on the food value and quick energy provided by the "goober pea".
As an important scientist in the late 1800s early 1900s, George Washington Carver worked diligently to invent many uses for peanuts and their shells. Maybe even more important than his inventions was what he taught farmers about the nitrogen fixing properties of peanuts. Rather than depleting the soil of natural nutrients, thanks to Dr. Carver, farmers began rotating their crops for a more sustainable environment.
In Southampton County, right around the corner from our home in Sedley, another inventor, Benjamin Hicks, was instrumental in making life easier for farmers. He invented new gas powered equipment for separating the peanuts from the vines. For many years, Southampton County grew more Virginia type peanuts than anywhere in the USA so at the turn of the century this equipment was quite valuable to local farmers.
When Dot Hubbard set her ideas into action, Amedeo Obici had already moved Planters from Pennsylvania to Suffolk, Virginia, about 30 miles away. What made Dot's peanuts different was the water-blanching process of dipping the peanuts in water before frying them in oil. She was visited by people from Planters who told her that her process was not something that could be scaled commercially. Until 1954, when Dot began selling Hubs, no one else had been successful in the market place. She was tenacious and worked hard and today, Hubs has a place in the Virginia Science Museum in Richmond, VA.
If you need educational materials for students or teachers you may contact our friends at Virginia-Carolina Peanut Promotions. You can reach them at: Virginia Carolina Peanut Promotions, Educational Service, P.O. Box 8, Nashville, NC 27856-0008, Phone (919) 459-9977, Fax (919) 459-7396
Peanut Types
Virginia Peanuts
The largest of all peanuts, the Virginia peanut is the type used exclusively for Hubs and other gourmet snacks. It is also known as the "ballpark" peanut. Virginia peanuts account for about 15 percent of total U. S. production and are grown mainly in southeastern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, South Carolina and West Texas. Virginias are a popular peanut used for all-natural peanut butter.
Runner Peanuts
Uniform in kernel size (which allows for even roasting), the runner peanut is most commonly used for making peanut butter. It is typically grown in the states of Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Oklahoma; and accounts for 80 percent of the peanuts grown in the United States.
Spanish Peanuts
Known for its red skins, the Spanish peanut has smaller sized kernels and is used predominantly for peanut candy, salted peanuts and peanut butter. Its reputation of having the "nuttiest" flavor when roasted is due to its higher oil content. Spanish peanuts are typically grown in the states of Oklahoma and Texas and account for four percent of U.S. production.
Valencia Peanuts
Having three or more kernels per shell, the Valencia has a sweet flavor and is commonly used for all-natural peanut butter. Also, they are excellent for use as boiled peanuts. Valencia peanuts are grown mainly in New Mexico and account for less than one percent of U.S. production.
From Seed to Snack
From Seed to Snack
Over the years, many of our customers have written us with questions about HUBS and about peanuts in general. Many people are often surprised that they grow in the ground and not on trees. Peanuts are really not nuts at all, but legumes, an important rotation crop. Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants which means they take nitrogen from the air and convert it into nitrogen compounds or plant nutrients in the soil.
In a Nut Shell
Homemade Peanut Butter
With just one ingredient and a food processor, Hubs Peanuts transform into a rich, creamy peanut spread in under 10 minutes. Serves Best For Total Time Difficulty About 1½ – 2 cups Spreads, Snacks, Pantry Staples 10 Mins Easy Ingredients: 3 cups Hubs Roasted Peanuts Salted Peanuts or Unsalted Peanuts Sea salt, to taste (if using unsalted peanuts) Directions: Add 3 cups of Hubs Peanuts to the bowl of a food processor. Process continuously, pausing every 30 seconds to 1 minute to scrape down the sides of the bowl and let the motor rest. Continue this process-and-scrape cycle through all the stages below until the mixture is fully smooth. Watch the texture change in stages as you keep processing. First chunky and coarse, then clumping into a thick ball, and finally loosening into a smooth, creamy spread. Keep processing (with pauses to scrape) until it reaches this final smooth stage — the full process takes about 8 to 10 minutes. If using unsalted peanuts, taste and stir in sea salt as needed. TIP: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stir well before each use. How To Enjoy Homemade Peanut Butter Spread it on toast, bagels, or English muffins. Swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt. Use it as a dip for apple slices, celery, or pretzels. Blend it into smoothies Mix it into sauces or dressings Layer it into a classic PB&J sandwich
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
A kid-friendly snack packed with crunch and protein, made with Hubs Peanuts for extra flavor in every bite. Serves Best For Total Time Difficulty 20–24 bars Snacks, Lunchboxes, After-School 2 hr 15 min Easy Ingredients: 4 ¾ cups rolled oats 3 ¼ cups crispy rice cereal 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped Hubs Salted Peanuts (about 1 1/4 cups) 2 cups peanut butter 1 ¼ cups honey 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ½ cup mini chocolate chips Directions: Combine oats, crispy rice cereal, dried cranberries, and Hubs Peanuts in a large mixing bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine peanut butter and honey. Stir constantly until warmed and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir well to coat evenly. Let cool slightly. Fold in mini chocolate chips. Spray a 9"x13" half-sheet pan and press the mixture in firmly and evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Cut into bars or squares and serve.
Why Hubs Has Been a Business Favorite for Generations
For more than 70 years, Hubs has helped businesses thank clients, recognize employees, and celebrate milestones with ultra-premium Virginia peanuts. From the first handful to the last, every delicious bite will leave a lasting impression. Gifting Made Easy With Hubs A tin of Hubs Virginia Peanuts is made to be opened, shared, and enjoyed, whether it's in the conference room, around the office, or at home with family. For more than 70 years, businesses have trusted Hubs for corporate peanut gifts, client appreciation gifts, and employee appreciation gifts because they're easy to order, ready to gift, and always appreciated. Perfect for: Client appreciation Employee recognition Holiday gifting Trade shows and conferences Golf outings Closing gifts Thank-you gifts Explore our full collection of Corporate Gifts to find gift-ready tins for every business occasion. We also offer multi-recipient ordering and Corporate Private Labeling. More Than a Gift. A Hubs Gift. Hubs has spent more than 70 years doing one thing exceptionally well. Crafting ultra-premium Virginia peanuts. Every tin begins with carefully selected Super Extra-Large Virginia peanuts, chosen for their exceptional size, rich flavor, and signature crunch. They're prepared using the high-heat blister-frying process pioneered by Dot Hubbard and packed in reusable vacuum-sealed tins that are as gift-worthy as the peanuts inside. Make It Your Own Some gifts become even more meaningful when they reflect your company. Through Corporate Private Labeling, you can personalize Hubs tins with your company logo, branding, or custom artwork, creating a gift that feels thoughtful from the moment it's received. Corporate Gifting Ideas for Every Occasion No two businesses celebrate the same way, which is why Hubs gifts fit so many occasions. Client Appreciation Gifts Employee Appreciation Gifts Corporate Holiday Gifts Golf Tournaments Trade Shows & Conferences The Story Behind Every Tin The details have always mattered at Hubs. Carefully selected Super Extra-Large Virginia peanuts. The blister-frying process pioneered by Dot Hubbard. Reusable vacuum-sealed tins. More than 70 years of doing things the same way. Some things are worth changing. Our process isn't one of them. If you'd like to learn more about the family behind Hubs and the history that shaped our company, visit our Hubs History page.
