Arachis hypogaea

Available for purchase from 1 July 2025  

The black-skinned Schronce’s Black Peanut is a rare heirloom cultivated and refined in North Carolina by Gordon Schronce during the 1980s. Building on traditional varieties like the Carolina Black and Tennessee Red, Schronce selected for deeper-coloured skins and pods containing up to five seeds. The result is a visually striking peanut with dark grey to coal-black skins and a sweet, rich flavour. Known for its productivity and resilience, this variety remains a favourite among growers looking for something truly unique.

These peanuts are excellent roasted or fried, with the roasting process accentuating the skins, turning them a rich, deep, purple-black colour. These are notable in that they have a slight, almost toasty flavour even when raw, and they are often praised for their slightly sweeter taste compared to other heirloom varieties. The black skins provide a striking contrast when used in dishes, adding not just flavour but also aesthetic appeal. While not commonly eaten raw, they are ideal for traditional peanut preparations including boiling and light roasting, where their colour and sweetness shine.

For germination, sow seeds 3–5 cm deep in loose, well-drained soil once soil temperatures reach at least 18 °C. Germination typically takes between 7 and 14 days. As legumes, they require minimal nitrogen fertilisation but appreciate well-balanced compost or phosphorus-rich inputs. Schronce’s Black is a bush-type plant and benefits from regular weeding and light mounding to support pegging.

Allow about 125 to 140 days to harvest. Plants are ready when the leaves begin yellowing and the pods have filled and darkened. After harvest, hang the plants to air-dry for two to three weeks before shelling. Astoundingly productive with pods generally having 3 or 4 and sometimes even 5 peanuts per pod. These need to be in the ground early in the season, preferably before November, as they take just shy of 5 months to get to harvest. 

Standard packet contains approx. 25 seeds

Petite packet contains approx. 10 seeds