More than 90 percent of the nation's peanuts are grown in what are known as the Sun Belt states across the South.

Peanuts love sun and heat almost as much as German tourists. Some estimates of the optimal peanut growing temperature are as high as 86 degrees, which means that peanuts are grown almost exclusively in the South. In fact, 97 percent of the peanuts grown in the United States come from states across the region known as the Sun Belt.

And the weather in the Sun Belt is not just good for growing, but for storing, too. To keep them fresh and tasty for the longest time possible, peanuts need to be kept clean and dry.

The moisture content is critical because peanuts kept in damp storage for long periods of time can grow a mold which produces the dreaded aflatoxin.

But fear not -- if aflatoxin is the evil Dr. No, then broccoli is James Bond. Green veggies like broccoli contain an enzyme that destroys the toxic chemical before it can do harm to your body.

Not that all your peanut intake should look only like peanut butter -- both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continually monitor our peanut supply, so contamination is very, very rare.My favorite peanut snack is more than a snack -- it's a memory: celery, peanut butter, and raisins. "Ants on a log" -- crunchy, creamy, and sweet. It's what the Sun Belt's all about.

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