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Why Isn’t the Peanut a Nut?

The peanut is not counted among the nuts because botanically it is not a nut but a legume. While real nuts are inclosing fruits whose pericarp is lignified and encloses a single seed, peanuts are related to legumes such as peas or beans. After the flowers are fertilized, the stalks of the peanut plant bend downward, forcing the fruit at the top into the ground. The peanuts remain there until they are ripe.

Large quantities of edible peanuts are produced in the United States. From the major production countries China and India, only part reaches Europe for consumption. A significant amount is used to make peanut oil.

The taste of raw peanuts is more reminiscent of beans. This protein supplier, which is important in many cultures, only loses its bitter substances after roasting and retains its typical aroma.

Nuts in the botanical sense include walnuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts, but also beechnuts and sweet chestnuts. Like peanuts, various other nut-like fruits with a hard shell are botanically not counted as nuts. For example coconuts, almonds, and pistachios, each of which is the stone core of a stone fruit.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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