Peanuts in Pop Culture

Are you nuts about peanuts? Well, you're in good company! With the average American enjoying 7.7 pounds of peanuts each year, it's safe to say that peanuts have become a beloved staple of American culture. But peanuts aren't just for snacking; they've also carved out a prominent place in pop culture, making appearances in everything from viral videos to high-end fashion.

In the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, co-hosts Lindsay Stevens and Lauren Highfill Williams dive into the fascinating world of peanuts in pop culture. From Peanut Butter Baby to the iconic Peanut Butter Jelly Time song, peanuts and peanut butter have left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness.

The episode kicks off with a look at peanuts in the art world, exploring how artists like Vik Muniz and Roy Lichtenstein have incorporated peanuts into their work. But the peanut love doesn't stop there – it extends into the world of fashion with jewelry maker Mini Hay Avant, whose peanut-inspired designs have become must-have accessories.

“I work with my family at our jewelry store in Charleston [South Carolina] called Croghan's Jewel Box. And I also have a costume jewelry line called the Goldbug Collection. My brother and sister and I are the fourth generation in our family's jewelry store,” said Mini.

The idea for her line of peanut jewelry came from the announcement of her pregnancy.

“We were trying to figure out a way to tell my husband's dad that we were having a baby, he loves boiled peanuts and always makes them and always has them and so I drew a peanut and drew one extra little peanut in the shell with a little question mark that said ‘another peanut in the patch.’ It was just kind of this ongoing joke and then we they call our baby the peanut and so I was like I love peanuts and I think most people have a happy connection to a peanut like memory or it reminds them of summertime with boiled peanuts. It's just like a feel-good food. And it's such a happy Southern thing. And so, we kind of ran with it and I gave my mother-in-law a peanut charm and she was the first one to get one and so it's just kind of fun.” The Peanut Collection is now one of their top sellers.

And who can forget peanuts' role in Hollywood and sports? From movie theaters to baseball stadiums, peanuts have been a snack-time staple for generations. Plus, athletes like Kevin Garnett and the Baltimore Ravens' football team swear by the power of PB&Js to fuel their performance on the field.

Registered dietitian Leslie Bonci has been a sports dietitian for decades for major and national league teams.

“I have some of my players that can’t live without an Uncrustable,” said Bonci. “I mean, their day today is not complete... And the reason for that too is because it feels more comfortable. When somebody's already nervous in hype the last thing they want is that big volume of food in their stomach. So, the nice thing about a PBJ is I could do half or I could do a quarter if that's all that I can tolerate at that particular point in time. And it just works really really well. Even as a little muffin. So, we do a bite not something the size of an SUV tire. It's something small because again, it's just that really it's the flavor, it's the familiar is the ‘Okay, now I can settle down’ and it tastes good every single time; there's no guesswork here."

So, whether you're a peanut aficionado or just someone who enjoys a good PB&J, this episode of The Peanut Podcast is sure to entertain and enlighten. Tune in for all this and more, and don't forget to subscribe for future episodes. Peanut lovers unite – this one's for you!