Peanut Inspector Certification Practice Exam

What color do runner peanuts generally shift to during storage?

1. Light brown

2. Pale pinkish buff

3. Reddish-brown

4. Bright red

The correct answer is: Reddish-brown

Runner peanuts generally shift to a reddish-brown color during storage due to the natural maturation and storage processes they undergo. As peanuts age, the pigments in the seed coat can undergo chemical changes, resulting in this characteristic color. The reddish-brown hue is a visual indicator of the time spent in storage and reflects the typical color transformation that occurs in runner peanut varieties. This color change may also be influenced by factors such as humidity, temperature, and the specific conditions under which the peanuts are stored. Understanding this transformation is crucial for inspectors, as it can affect not only the visual quality but also the potential marketability of the peanuts.