The majority of peanuts grown in the United States are dried before being processed then sold to packaging, processor and feed companies, with most ending up as peanut butter. The bulk of whats left winds up in candy or as roasted peanuts (parched) salted and unsalted. There are however, a smaller elite group of consumers who have discovered the joys of the peanut before it is dried. These are your boiled peanut fans. Although a 'dried' peanut can still be called 'raw', it cannot be termed 'green'. Only peanuts fresh from the ground have that honor, albiet the peanut is not actually green in color.
     Green peanuts are often not easy to locate as they are perishable and must be refridgerated or frozen immediately. Dried peanuts have a shelf life of literally months, whereas a green peanut left at room temperature will begin to deteriorate in just a week or two. They also have a relatively short season making them even more rare and perhaps more sought after by those who have developed a taste for genuine southern boiled peanuts. Boiling green peanuts insures maximum flavor for the boiled peanut fan.
      Consumers of boiled peanuts much prefer fresh green peanuts or frozen green peanuts brought back to a boil, rather than some type of dried or canned boiled peanuts.  Freezing does not seem to harm the flavor at all.  Roadside vendors are where most Americans were first introduced to boiled peanuts, and it was probably in either Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama or South Carolina. South Carolina has even declared the boiled peanut its official state snack, thanks to Govenor Mark Sanford in 2006. This is also the home many expert roadside vendors such as Thomas Lowe aka the PeanutGuy who in addition to his roadside stands, sells green and boiled peanuts online.