Peanuts

The peanut is a staple ingredient in many cuisines of the world, including African, Indonesian, Indian, and South American.

Although commonly thought of as a nut, peanuts are actually legumes and belong to the same family as the bean and pea. The peanut is the seed of a plant believed to have originated in South America, although some sources believe it was China. Today, in the United States, peanuts are primarily grown in eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

George Washington Carver is considered by many to be the father of the peanut industry. He began his peanut research in 1903 and suggested to farmers that they rotate their cotton plants and cultivate peanuts.

Varieties

There are about ten species of peanuts, each with several different varieties. However, three varieties are widely produced for consumption: the small, round Spanish peanuts; the medium-sized oval Valencia peanuts, often sold in the shell; and the large Virginia peanuts, which are often found in cans and jars of mixed nuts. All three varieties can be used interchangeably.

Buying and storing tips

Both shelled and unshelled peanuts should be kept refrigerated in tightly sealed containers. Unshelled peanuts will keep for up to nine months in the refrigerator, while shelled peanuts will keep for up to three months. It is important to discard peanuts that are discolored or even slightly moldy or rancid since they can be easily contaminated by aflatoxin, a mold that has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals, though not in humans.

Availability

Peanuts are widely available year-round. They are sold shelled and unshelled, salted and unsalted, and roasted and raw, although raw peanuts go rancid more quickly and are not as common as roasted.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Peanuts can be eaten whole as a snack or used is a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. They are very popular when ground into peanut butter. The peanut is a staple ingredient in many cuisines of the world, including African, Indonesian, Indian, and South American.

Nutritional Highlights

Peanuts (dry roasted), 1 oz. (30 whole peanuts)
Calories: 168
Protein: 4.9g
Carbohydrate: 7.2g
Total Fat: 14.6g
Fiber: 2.5g
*Good source of: Magnesium (64mg)

*Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.

Health benefits and/or concerns

Prostate Cancer

Alpha-linolenic acid is a fatty acid found in many foods. Most, but not all, studies have found that high dietary or blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid correlate with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid are high in almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, flaxseed, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.

Health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other nuts and seeds. Read about health benefits and concerns for nuts and seeds for a full description.

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The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2005.