Peanut Types Found in Central Java, Indonesia
Primary Market Type: Java Peanuts (Spanish Type)
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Local Name | Kacang tanah (literally "earth nut") |
| Type Classification | Java peanuts (same as Spanish type internationally) |
| Shape | Round/spherical, small to medium size |
| Skin Color | Pink to reddish-brown outer skin |
| Primary Uses | Peanut sauce (bumbu kacang), satay sauce, gado-gado, pecel |
| Oil Content | 42-48% (medium-high) |
| Growing Season | 85-110 days to maturity |
Major Production Centers in Central Java
| Location | Notable Features |
|---|---|
| Semarang | Industrial peanut production center; famous for Wedang Kacang Tanah (peanut drink) |
| Yogyakarta & Surakarta | Traditional cultivation areas; crop rotation with rice |
| Pati District | Agricultural production area |
| Areas between Mt. Merapi & Mt. Merbabu | Organic peanut cultivation on volcanic soil |
Indonesian Peanut Varieties/Cultivars
| Variety Name | Type | Characteristics | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gajah ("Elephant") | Large-seeded | Bigger kernels, premium quality | Named for size |
| Banteng ("Bull") | Medium | Standard commercial variety | Common cultivar |
| Kelinci ("Rabbit") | Small-medium | Quick maturing | Popular local variety |
| Tapir | Medium | Adapted to local conditions | Traditional variety |
| Jepara | Local cultivar | Lower yield but adapted to Central Java | Regional specialty |
| Biawak | High-yielding | Best pod filling percentage | Research variety |
| Kacang Garuda | Commercial | Popular branded variety | Well-known in markets |
Cultivation Characteristics in Central Java
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Growing Types | Two main types: Upright (tipe tegak) and Spreading (tipe menjalar) |
| Cropping System | Often rotated with rice (padi-padi-palawija system) |
| Harvest Seasons | Two cycles: May (Rabi) and October (Kharif) |
| Soil Type | Grown on Aluvial, Regosol (sawah) and volcanic soils |
| Climate | Tropical with 1000-3000mm annual rainfall |
| Maturity | 85-110 days depending on variety |
Java Peanut Subspecies Used in Indonesia
| Subspecies | Origin/Use | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Java Long (JL) | Indonesian selection | Elongated shape, commercial export |
| Java Round | Traditional type | Spherical, high sweetness |
| K6 | Improved variety | Disease resistant |
| TJ 37 | Commercial cultivar | Good for processing |
Traditional Uses in Central Java Cuisine
| Dish/Product | Description | Peanut Type Used |
|---|---|---|
| Bumbu Kacang | Peanut sauce base | Roasted Java peanuts |
| Gado-gado | Vegetable salad with peanut sauce | Ground roasted peanuts |
| Pecel | Central Java's version of peanut sauce | Local Java varieties |
| Satay Sauce | Grilled meat accompaniment | Small round Java peanuts |
| Ampyang | Sweet peanut snack with palm sugar | Whole roasted peanuts |
| Wedang Kacang Tanah | Traditional peanut drink (Semarang specialty) | Fresh/boiled peanuts |
| Kacang Goreng | Fried peanuts snack | Various local types |
Commercial Classification
| Grade | Characteristics | Primary Market |
|---|---|---|
| Export Quality | Uniform size, <7% moisture, aflatoxin <5PPB | International (Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines) |
| Premium Local | Clean, whole kernels | Urban markets, restaurants |
| Standard | Mixed sizes, for processing | Local food industry |
| Oil Stock | Lower grade | Peanut oil extraction |
Key Facts About Central Java Peanuts
- Primary Type: Java peanuts (Spanish type) dominate - round, pink-skinned, sweet flavor
- Production Volume: Central Java produced 91,234 tons in 2017 (declining from 179,067 tons in 2006)
- Unique Features: Grown on volcanic soil between Mt. Merapi and Mt. Merbabu provides rich nutrients
- Cultural Importance: Essential ingredient in Indonesian cuisine, especially satay and vegetable dishes
- Local Varieties: Mix of traditional cultivars (Gajah, Kelinci, Tapir) and improved varieties
- Market: Both domestic consumption and export to Southeast Asian countries
- Growing Method: Often intercropped or rotated with rice in sawah (paddy field) systems
Comparison with Other Regions
| Aspect | Central Java | Other Indonesian Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Main Type | Java (Spanish) peanuts | Same, with some Runner types |
| Cultivation | Rice rotation system | Various systems |
| Specialty | Volcanic soil cultivation | Varies by region |
| Processing | Traditional sauce-making | Similar across Indonesia |
| Export Focus | Regional markets | National distribution |
Import Note
While Indonesia grows its own peanuts, it also imports Java peanuts from India (especially from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh) and other countries like Sudan and Mozambique to meet domestic demand. These imported varieties are similar to local Java peanuts but may have slight variations in oil content and flavor profile.