Today’s Spotlight is on Peanuts.

Peanuts are a type of legume, or edible seed, that grows in pods. Although they are called “nuts”, peanuts are not actually nuts. They are more closely related to peas than nuts. Peanuts are a member of the Fabaceae family, which also includes beans, lentils, and peas. Peanuts are also known as ground nuts, earthnuts, and goobers.

Peanuts come from a plant called Arachis hypogaea, which is a legume in the Fabaceae family. The peanut plant is a small bush that grows 18-25 inches tall. It produces flowers above ground, but the peanuts grow underground. The peanut plant is unusual because it flowers above ground but the peanut grows below ground. This process is called geocarpy.

Peanuts are native to South America and were introduced to the Old-World tropics at an early time. The seeds are rich in protein and fat. Peanuts are grown for their underground pods, which contain oily seeds. The seeds can be crushed to make peanut butter or used to make peanut oil. In the United States, peanuts are rarely eaten raw.

 

History

Peanuts originated in South and Central America as early as 1500 B.C. . The peanut plant was domesticated in the valleys of the Paraguay and Prarana rivers in the Chaco region of South America. The peanut was used as a special offering and mixed into foods and drinks.

The earliest reference to peanut butter can be traced back to the Ancient Incas and the Aztecs. They ground roasted peanuts into a paste. However, modern peanut butter, its production process, and the equipment used to make it, can be credited to at least three inventors.

The Incans of Peru used peanuts as offerings in their burials. Tribes in Brazil ground peanuts with maize to make a drink. The Portuguese took peanuts to Africa around 1500.

European explorers discovered the peanut in Brazil and brought it back to their homeland. They also distributed it to Asia and Africa. The peanut was spread by Spanish and Portuguese slave traders to Africa and Europe. The slaves then brought the peanut to the U.S..

The peanut was first grown in Virginia in the early 1800s. It was used mainly for oil, food, and as a cocoa substitute. The U.S. started to produce more peanuts in the early 1900s. The current top three producers of peanuts are China, India, and the U.S..

In 1895, American doctor, nutritionist, and cereal pioneer John Harvey Kellogg filed a patent for a proto-peanut butter.

 

Here are some interesting facts about peanuts:

 

• Peanuts are legumes, not nuts. They are a good source of protein and B vitamins.
• Peanuts are a “zero waste” plant, meaning no part of the plant goes to waste.
• Peanuts have the smallest carbon footprint of any nut.
• Peanuts require less water to process than almonds.
• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
• It’s illegal in the US to label a product “peanut butter” if it’s less than 90% peanuts.
• Boiled peanuts are considered a delicacy in the peanut-growing areas of the South. They are the official state snack of South Carolina.
• There are four different types of peanuts: Runner, Virginia, Spanish, and Valencia. Runner accounts for 80 percent of the peanuts grown in the US.
• There are six US cities named after peanut:
• Upper Peanut and Lower Peanut in Pennsylvania
• Peanut West in Virginia
• A city named Peanut in both California and Tennessee
• Peanut butter can be turned into diamonds.
• Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free.
• The furthest a peanut has ever been thrown was 124.4 feet.
• One acre of peanuts can produce up to 30,000 sandwiches.

 

The United States is the third-largest producer of peanuts. Georgia and Texas are the two major peanut-producing states. More than half of the American peanut crop goes into making peanut butter. The United States is also one of the top importers of peanut butter. In 2021, North America held the largest market share of peanut butter revenue, at almost 50%.

Peanuts may have a variety of health benefits, including:

• Promoting cardiovascular health
• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Aiding in weight loss
• Preventing gallstones
• Improving brain function
• Aiding muscle growth and bone health

Peanuts are also high in fat and calories, so it’s important to eat them in moderation. The recommended daily serving is a handful of peanuts (1-2 ounces) or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Eating peanuts in excess may cause allergic reactions, aflatoxin poisoning, and inhibit iron absorption.

The average American eats 3 pounds of peanut butter a year, while the average European eats less than 1 tablespoon. Americans eat about 700 million pounds of peanut butter each year, which is enough to cover the Grand Canyon’s floor. That’s about 3 pounds per person, or 22 tablespoons. In 2021, peanut consumption in the US hit a record high of 7.9 pounds per American.

National Peanut Day is celebrated annually on September 13th. It’s a day to celebrate the peanut’s contributions to American food culture. National Peanut Day is a perfect excuse to eat your favorite peanut snack. It’s also a day to incorporate peanuts or peanut butter into your diet.