Where Do Peanuts Come From?

Peanuts are native to South America. They have been cultivated by civilizations since 1000 BC. Spanish explorers who reached South America in the 16th century discovered peanut plantations in tropical regions. Traders eventually brought peanuts to Africa where the natives cultivated them in order to produce food for their livestock. When the slave trade began and African slaves were sent to America, African peanuts were brought on the ships to provide nourishment for the Africans. Peanuts were then planted in Virginia and all throughout the Southern U.S.

Today, 50 percent of the peanut crops in the U.S. are grown in Georgia. It has been recorded that in a year, 80 counties in Georgia can produce up to two billion pounds of peanuts.

There are four peanut varieties that are grown in the US:

• Spanish peanuts are used to make peanut oil and sweets or candies. They are primarily found in Texas and Oklahoma. 
• Virginia peanuts are roasted and can be sold with or without shells. They are cultivated in Virginia and in North and South Carolina.
• Valencia peanuts are the sweetest among the four different varieties of peanuts. These nuts are primarily grown in North Mexico.
• Runner peanuts make the very popular peanut butter. These nuts are grown all over America.

How Do Peanuts Grow?

Unlike most nuts, peanuts do not come from trees. They grow on plants which flower above and below the ground, the plants bear fruit. A farmer will typically plant the peanuts in the month of April or May. Once the peanuts are planted, they will grow into an oval-shaped seedling that can reach up to 18 inches in height when mature.

Tiny yellow flowers grow in the lower section of the plant. The flowers will pollinate and as they do so, they lose their petals due to the enlargement of the fertilized ovary. The embryo will develop underground slowly and will eventually develop into a peanut. The growth cycle of a peanut usually takes between four to five months.

What Exactly Are Peanuts?

"Peanut" is actually a misleading name. In reality, peanuts are not really nuts at all but instead, they are legumes. Legumes are seeds that are formed inside pods. Peanuts can easily be confused as a type of nut, especially since they are treated in cooking the same way other nuts such as walnuts and cashews are used.

Peanuts are a healthy food source. They contain 26 percent protein. They also contain seven essential minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and copper. Peanuts are cholesterol free and are low in saturated fat. They are also known to have high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols. They not only protect your heart but more importantly, they inhibit the growth of free radicals in your body therefore, they help keep infection and illness at bay.

The whole peanut plant is usable, making peanut cultivation a very industrious activity. The top part of the plant can be used to make hay, and the hulls can be used to feed livestock, mulch, or as a source of fuel. The peanut plants' kernels can be sued to produce flour, oil, roasted seeds and of course, peanut butter.

To make peanut butter, the raw, shelled peanuts are roasted and then cooled. Afterwards, the skin will be blanched. After being blanched, the kernels will be sorted out electronically or manually to separate the bad ones. The peanuts are then grounded through a series of grinding processes until a smooth textured peanut butter is achieved.

Simultaneously, the ground peanuts will be heated to about 170 degrees and emulsifiers will be mixed in. The butter will then be cooled down to 120 degrees or lower. This cooling down will help solidify the emulsifiers and will help trap the peanut oil in the butter. When finished, the peanut butter will be packed in jars for distribution. Aside from peanut butter, peanuts are popular ingredients for candy bars, brittles, and even savory dishes. Shelled nuts can even be eaten fresh, boiled, or roasted.