PCA, in conjunction with The Peanut Van, launched a "world's first" new peanut product, Lyte & Crunchy, at this year's Peanut Festival in Kingaroy.

The new product, (right), is made from peanut kernels which have been pressed to release their peanut oil.

Two varieties, Butterscotch & Caramel and Sugared, were unveiled at the Peanut Festival's DPI&F Farmers' Breakfast, held on the festival morning.

The breakfast marked the 90th anniversary of the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries in Kingaroy and provided the perfect opportunity for peanut growers, agronomists and others involved in the peanut industry to start Peanut Festival day.

It also provided the perfect opportunity to launch an exciting new peanut product!

Lyte & Crunchy is the result of co-operation between PCA, The Peanut Van and the Federal Government's New Industries Development Program.
PCA recognised that the production of Kingaroy Gold peanut oil was leaving it with a product suitable for value-adding. The Peanut Van, in turn, was seeking a product it could market to health-conscious consumers who were looking for a high-protein, lower fat snack option.

However, for the defatted peanuts to fit this bill, special procedures and machinery had to be developed to successfully reshape the kernels.
In a process developed by PCA in Kingaroy, the kernels are rehydrated and infused with flavour.

The two varieties released at the Peanut Festival had been previously test-marketed by The Peanut Van's Childers branch with a strong response from the public.