PEANUTS

PEANUTS (Arachis hypogaea):

Peanuts, often known as “ground nuts” or “ground peas”, are a type of legume that grows underground or is farmed solely for its edible seeds. The peanut plant is a member of the legume family, which also includes beans, lentils, and peas.  Peanut requires warm temperatures and rainfall to grow well in tropical and subtropical environments. Peanuts are rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and several important vitamins and minerals. Peanuts are high in vitamins and minerals, which enhances heart health and lowers the risk of certain diseases. Peanuts are often eaten roasted, salted, or boiled, and are also used to produce peanut butter, oil, and flour.

• Peanuts are actually named as ‘Legumes’.
• Peanuts grow underground and are sometimes called “Ground Nuts” or “Ground Peas”.
• ‘Goober’ is a nickname for the peanut.
• Peanut butter is one of the more commonly consumed forms of the peanut.
• Runner, Valencia, Spanish and Virginia are the names of the four varieties of peanuts.

Peanuts are known by a variety of names based on location or language. Groundnuts, earth nuts, goobers, pinda’s, monkey nuts, and Arachis hypogaea are some common names for peanuts. Peanuts are referred as “Mungfali or Moongphali” in Hindi, “Pinda’s” in the Netherlands, Monkey nuts in the UK, Verkadalai in Tamil, Kacang tanah in Indonesia and Malaysia, Mani in the Philippines, “piinattsu” in Japan, “ttangkong” in South Korea, “thua li song” in Thailand, Cacahuates in Mexico, Cacahuetes in Spain, and Erdnüsse in Germany. In fact, groundnuts are an intersection between the two wild species Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis. However, regardless of the name, they all refer to the same subterranean legume that is high in nutrients. The Netherlands imports a lot of peanuts from places including the United States, Argentina, and China. These peanuts are processed in the United States and shipped to other countries.

PEANUTS KERNEL:

A peanut kernel is the edible seed found inside a peanut shell. Peanuts are a form of legume that grows underground, and each peanut pod normally includes two to three kernels. It is high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a popular snack and component in many cuisines.

Some of the benefits and uses of peanut kernels include:

• Peanut kernels are an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can assist in lowering cholesterol, improving heart health, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
• Peanut oil is produced from peanut kernels and is used in cooking and frying.
• Peanut kernels are utilized in the manufacture of a range of products, including peanut flour, protein isolates, and snacks.
• Peanut kernels can be roasted, boiled, or baked into a number of foods, including peanut butter, peanut sauce, and cookies.
• Peanut oil and peanut kernel extracts are found in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, including soaps, lotions, and shampoos.

PEANUTS IN SHELL:

The peanut shell, also known as the pod, is the peanut’s exterior shell. Peanut shells are the hard, outer coverings that protect the edible peanut kernels inside. Depending on the type of peanut, the shells can vary in size and form and are often light brown in colour. Peanut shells, also known as peanut hulls or pods, have a variety of possible uses and benefits. Some of these are:

• Peanut shells are a high-fiber source that can be fed to cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Peanut shells can be burned for fuel since they contain a lot of energy and can generate heat.
• Peanut shells include lignin and cellulose, both of which are used to make a variety of products such as biofuels, chemicals, and materials.
• Peanut shells can be used for animal feed, fuel, mulch, and decorative purposes.

PEANUT APPLICATIONS:

1. PEANUT BUTTER:

Peanut butter, a popular food spread prepared from ground roasted peanuts. It has a creamy texture and a deep, nutty flavour.

Some of the advantages and applications of peanut butter include:

• Peanut butter contains protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can lower cholesterol, lower the risk of heart disease, and improve digestion.
• Peanut butter is commonly used as a spread for sandwiches, crackers, and celery sticks. It also serves as a dip for fruits, such as apples and bananas.
• Peanut butter is a pleasant and filling food that helps to curb cravings and improve weight loss.
• Peanut butter is a popular snack among athletes and bodybuilders due to its high protein and energy content.
• Peanut butter is a plant-based protein source that adds to vegetarian and vegan diets.

2. PEANUT OIL:

Peanut oil is a form of vegetable oil obtained from the peanut plant’s edible seeds (kernels). It has a high smoke point, making it suited for high-temperature cooking and frying.  Peanut oil is popular cooking oil suitable for a variety of cooking methods, including frying, sauteing, and roasting. Peanut oil is also a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to protect the body’s cells from damage. Peanut oil contains healthy fats which helps to lower cholesterol level and reduce heart disease risk.

Some of the benefits and uses of peanut oil include:

• Peanut oil has a high smoke point, making it perfect for high-temperature cooking and frying techniques such as stir-frying, deep-frying, and pan-frying.
• Peanut oil has a moderate flavour and helps to improve the nutritional value of other ingredients in salad dressings and marinades.
• Peanut oil is frequently used in baking to keep cakes and breads moist and soft.

WHY PEANUTS ARE USED:

• Nutritious: Peanuts are an excellent source of fibre, protein, and beneficial fats. They include a lot of different vitamins and minerals, including as phosphorus, magnesium, folate, and niacin.
• Cost-Effective: Peanuts are relatively cost-effective approach in your diet as compared to other protein sources, like meat.
• Renewable: Peanuts are a sustainable crop as compared to other crops because they require less water and fertilizer.
• Cuisine preparation: Peanuts are used in a wide range of cuisine preparation, including the production of peanut butter and peanut oil as well as the addition of stir-fries, curries, and stews.
• Health benefits: Peanuts are utilized with several health benefits of peanuts include heart health, blood sugar control, and weight management.