Peanuts are not nuts, but legumes, and are widely grown in South America, Africa, and Europe. They grow underground and are high in protein and healthy fats, making them an important nutritional source in many parts of the world. They are used to produce peanut oil, peanut butter, and are eaten plain or included in various dishes.
Peanut is a product of a trailing bush formally known as Arachis hypogaea. Despite their name, peanuts aren’t actually nuts, they’re legumes. In most culinary uses, peanuts are classified as a tree nut because they act more like nuts in cooking than other legumes, such as lentils and beans. For people with nut allergies, the distinction is especially important, as many people with nut allergies can eat peanuts safely. Conversely, people who are allergic to peanuts may often eat tree nuts.
The peanut plant is native to South America and was brought to Europe by early explorers. Peanuts are still widely grown in South America, as well as Africa and warmer temperate countries in Europe, such as Spain. The plant is classified as an annual and produces peanuts once before dying. It has simple green leaves and small yellow flowers on long stems. This is where things start to get peculiar for the peanut plant.
As the stems grow, they begin to fall to the ground. As the pods begin to form, they slowly push underground, eventually maturing beneath the soil, forcing the farmer to dig up the netted, light brown pods. It is possible that peanuts developed this growth habit as a method of protection from the hot tropical sun, as they have thin pods. Once the peanut pods are harvested, the plant is removed and generally used for animal fodder.
In many parts of Africa, peanuts are more commonly known as groundnuts, a reference to the pods’ preferred underground location. Peanuts play a vital nutritional role in many parts of Africa, as they are high in protein and healthy fats. In parts of Africa, peanuts make up a substantial percentage of the protein available for consumption. In the American South, peanuts are called “goobers,” a probable corruption of a Kikongo word, nguba.
There are several important roles for peanuts in many areas of the world. A large percentage of the annual peanut harvest is pressed to produce peanut oil, a light yellow, neutral-flavored oil with a very high smoke point. Peanut oil is ideal for frying and is widely used in many countries for this purpose. Nuts are also ground into peanut butter, a creamy spread that is popular with people of all ages. Peanuts can also be sold whole, eaten plain, sprinkled on food, or included in various dishes.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
