Family Owned, Farm Grown
About Gillespie’s Peanuts
Rogers Brothers Farm, a large farm in Darlington and Lee counties, is unique in that it grows 100% high-oleic peanuts, which means they are more resistant to field disease and more sustainable to grow. There is also an inherently higher percentage of mono-saturated fats (also known as the “good fats”) in the peanuts, which leads to having a longer-shelf-life than some others. Gillespie’s Peanuts are grown and shelled on Rogers Brothers Farm and are freshly packaged, making for a flavorful and crunchy snack produced with love in Darlington County.
What Happens “Before the Can?”
Peanuts don’t grow on trees or bushes. They, instead, grow underneath the soil. From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle of peanuts can take numerous months. For Gillespie’s, peanut season begins in late April. Peanuts are usually planted in a field 1 out of 4 years. It takes 22 weeks for the peanuts to mature before digging begins. After being dug, the peanuts have to dry for about a week. After they dry, combining begins which separates the nuts from the vines. The combining process takes about a month. The peanuts are transported out of the field and transported to the plant where they are stored and shipped to the shelling plant. They are then shelled, cooked, and placed into cans.
Here’s a look at the timeline of the production of Gillespie’s Peanuts…
• May 1st – Begin Planting
• June 1st – Complete Planting
• Average 140-day growing season.
• October 1 – Begin Harvesting
• November 1 – Complete Harvesting (goal)
• Dry on the ground for 5 days
• Pick up with combine.
For Gillespie’s Peanut’s most-loved Chocolate Covered flavor, the process is a little different. Cocoa plants have to be planted in July near the peanut plants that will be chocolate covered. Gill Rogers shares, “We have to start harvesting the chocolate first—before it gets too hot. Otherwise, the chocolate will melt in the combine and we’ll have a huge mess on our hands!”
Gillespie’s Peanuts Introduces Lime Margarita Flavor
After several years of offering the same seven flavors of peanuts, Gillespie’s introduced Caramel Crunch Peanuts in the fall of 2017. Almost two years later, the peanut gallery decided it was time for a new flavor.
Gillespie’s had perfected savory peanuts—like Salted, Sea Salt & Pepper, and Low Country Boil. They also had a nice ‘spicy’ peanut flavor—Spicy Sriracha. Gillespie’s couldn’t think of anything that needed to be added to their ‘sweet’ collection of Chocolate Covered, Honey Roasted, and Caramel Crunch. But, it still seemed there was something missing. Maybe another spicy? Maybe something with a sour punch to it?! Gillespie’s sampled many flavor combinations and finally landed on Lime Margarita. People seem to love the sour and salty mix, and it really is a great summer flavor! The Lime Margarita peanuts have done very well from the beginning, and although they were planning on making them a limited edition product, they may have to extend that a little bit! Gillespie’s has encouraged fans to pick up the Lime Margarita Peanuts to use as #boatsnacks, but really, they are perfect for traveling, ball games, and hanging out by the pool. Right now the Lime Margarita Peanuts are being sold in select stores and on their website, www.gillespiespeanuts.com.
Gillespie’s Peanuts always has something in the works—who knows what they’ll come up with next! Charles Rogers, one of the owners, and Linzie Batchelor, Marketing Director are unofficially the R&D department. Every meeting they seem to be tossing out ideas about some new product of flavor Gillespie’s Peanuts could try. Of course, their entire company is always on the lookout for new opportunities and listening to the needs of their fans! They are ‘nuts’ about their customers!
Stores that carry Lime Margarita Peanuts:
The Key – Hartsville
Rebecca’s Fabrications – Southport
Lazy Gator – Murrells Inlet
Piggly Wiggly – Surfside
www.gillespiespeanuts.com