The Rich History and Tradition of Virginia Diner Peanut Brittle

The History of Virginia Diner Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle is a classic American candy that has been enjoyed for over a century. Many peanut brittle purveyors have come and gone, but one has stood the test of time: Virginia Diner. Based in Wakefield, Virginia, Virginia Diner has been making their signature peanut brittle since 1929. Their story is one of enduring family tradition and dedication to quality.

How Virginia Diner Got Its Start

In 1929, William Darden Danner and his wife started selling fresh roasted peanuts out of a small diner in Wakefield. Located just south of Smithfield, Virginia, an area known for hog production and peanut growing, it was an ideal location. The Danners would roast the peanuts on site, allowing customers to enjoy the appetizing aroma as they ate meals in the diner.

It didn't take long for the Danners to realize they were onto something special. Their customers kept raving about the fragrant, freshly roasted peanuts. Before long, they decided to expand their offerings to include peanut brittle. Using local Virginia peanuts, rich butter, and pure cane sugar, their peanut brittle was an instant hit.

How Peanut Brittle is Made

To this day, Virginia Diner still makes their peanut brittle using the same traditional techniques. First, only the finest Virginia peanuts are selected. The peanuts are then roasted in small batches to perfection, bringing out their rich, nutty flavor. A mixture of butter, sugar, and corn syrup is cooked in copper kettles to just the right temperature, resulting in a creamy, buttery texture.

Once the syrup mixture reaches the ideal stage, the warm roasted peanuts are added in. The combination is stirred together until evenly coated. Then, the peanut brittle mixture is spread onto baking sheets in a thin, even layer. At just the right moment, it's moved to cooling racks where it hardens into that signature brittle texture.

The whole process requires careful timing and the judgment of seasoned candy makers. Machines can't reproduce the subtle intricacies of temperature, texture, and timing necessary to make a truly great peanut brittle. At Virginia Diner, it's still made completely by hand in small batches.

The Virginia Peanut

Virginia Diner sources all its peanuts from local Virginia peanut farms. Virginia has the perfect climate and soil for growing peanuts. The state's peanut belt has just the right amount of rain, periods of hot temperatures, and sandy loam soil.

Peanuts thrive in this environment. Virginia peanuts are known for being extra large and flavorful, with a distinctive sweet and nutty taste. Popular varieties include Virginia-type peanuts, runner peanuts, and Valencia peanuts. No matter which type, Virginia peanuts have a signature crunch and robust peanut flavor.

Peanut farming has a long history in Virginia. Peanuts have been grown in the Tidewater region since the 1800s. Today, Virginia ranks as 6th in U.S. peanut production, producing over 155 million pounds of peanuts annually. Suffolk, Virginia accounts for over half of the state's production.

How Peanuts are Harvested

Harvesting peanuts is a unique process. When peanut plants reach maturity after four months of growing, they are pulled from the ground. The plant roots contain the prized peanuts, encased in a pods. These peanut-filled pods are shaken off the roots and left to dry for about a week.

Next is threshing, where the dried peanut pods are mechanically separated from the plants. The pods are then removed from the peanuts in a process called shelling. After roasting, the final peanut kernels emerge, ready to become peanut butter, salted nuts, or brittle.

It takes knowledge, care, and backbreaking labor to get a peanut crop from seed to shell. Virginia Diner works closely with peanut farms in the Virginia peanut belt to procure the best peanuts for their confections.

The Move to Safe Peanut Packaging

For over 50 years, Virginia Diner packaged their peanut brittle in the iconic red cans. However, concerns over Bisphenol A (BPA) in can linings led them to switch to polyethylene bags in 2006. These bags keep the peanut brittle fresh while being safer for consumers.

In 2021, Virginia Diner made another packaging change after a new FDA ruling. Due to the possibility of allergen cross-contamination, packaged foods had to be produced on dedicated equipment. As Virginia Diner produced multiple nut products on shared lines, they transitioned their packaging to clear plastic containers.

While this means saying goodbye to the classic red tins, it's the right thing to do for consumer safety. Virginia Diner remains committed to adapting its production without sacrificing any of the quality that's kept fans coming back since 1929.

The Future of Virginia Diner

Today, Virginia Diner is still family-owned and operated by founder William Danner's descendants. The company has expanded over the decades, now offering mail order and online sales across America. While the ways of buying Virginia Diner peanut brittle have changed with the times, what goes inside the package stays true to tradition.

When you crunch into a piece of Virginia Diner peanut brittle, you're enjoying the same crunchy, buttery, peanut-y confection customers have savored for over 90 years. As Virginia Diner moves into the future, they stay committed to the same small-batch process and Virginia peanuts that have made their peanut brittle a cherished southern tradition.

Key Takeaways

• Virginia Diner peanut brittle has been handmade in Wakefield, VA since 1929 using local Virginia peanuts.
• Their brittle is still produced in copper kettles using traditional methods to achieve the perfect texture and flavor.
• Virginia peanuts are renowned for their large size, sweet taste, and robust peanut flavor.
• Peanut farming has a long history in Virginia, which today ranks 6th for US peanut production.
• Virginia Diner has adapted its packaging over the years for consumer safety while maintaining the same product quality.
• As a family-owned company for over 90 years, Virginia Diner peanut brittle is a cherished southern tradition.

FAQs

What makes Virginia Diner peanut brittle special?

Virginia Diner peanut brittle is special because it's still made by hand using the original 1929 recipe. They only use premium Virginia peanuts and high quality ingredients to achieve the perfect texture and flavor.

Why are Virginia peanuts ideal for peanut brittle?

Virginia peanuts are known for being extra large and having a robust, sweet peanut taste. Their size and flavor make them perfect for peanut brittle, resulting in big crunchy peanut pieces with lots of flavor.

How long has Virginia Diner been making peanut brittle?

Virginia Diner has been handcrafting their signature peanut brittle since 1929, over 90 years. It's remained a family-owned business for generations, sticking to old fashioned techniques.

Where can I buy Virginia Diner peanut brittle?

You can buy Virginia Diner peanut brittle online through their website, which ships anywhere in the US. It's also carried by many specialty food stores, especially in the southeastern US.

Why did Virginia Diner change their packaging over the years?

Virginia Diner switched from metal cans to safer polyethylene bags in 2006. In 2021, they moved to plastic containers to avoid allergen cross-contamination in production. This ensured quality and safety.