*Peanuts are seeds of the plant Arachis hypogaea, species of the legume family related to peas, lentils and other beans.  They bend towards the soil after pollination and go under the soil where they mature.

*Peanuts are known by different names in different countries like groundnuts, earthnuts, jack nuts, manila nuts, monkey balls, goobers, goober peas, pandas, pinders, monkey nuts, etc

*Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the fruit of the peanut plant is a woody, indehiscent legume and not a nut, and peanuts are the seeds of that fruit.

*They have a red skin, which is rich in B vitamins and can be eaten, and the taste ranges from sweet to not so sweet to bland.

*These are usually best eaten dry roasted or boiled in brine, although salted, roasted in oil, candied etc are available.  Raw peanuts are also eaten in some places when fresh.

*When buying, select fresh, whole, healthy looking peanuts free of mold.

*Dry roast them and store in a cool dry place.  They keep very well if stored properly for up to a year.  Fresh raw peanuts should not be kept for longer periods.

*Number of nuts per serving is 28.

Are they raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, if picked fresh or if it says raw or sundried on the package.
*No, because most of the peanuts at the supermarkets are roasted and salted.  Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Peanuts are a rich source of protein, which is nutritionally equivalent to protein in meat and eggs.

2. They are used to make milk, called peanut milk, which is nutritious and can be used as a lactose free supplement.

3. Peanut oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats, much of which is oleic acid, which is very useful in maintaining a healthy skin.

4. Good source of niacin, which is necessary to maintain proper blood flow and healthy brain.

5. Very rich sources of antioxidants and in the roasted state rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets.  These are useful to maintain a healthy heart and prevent cancer.

6. Peanuts are a significant source of resveratrol, a chemical studied for potential anti-aging effects and also associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and reduced cancer risk.  Peanuts have almost 30 times the amount of resveratrol than in grapes per 1 serving i.e., 1 ounce.

7. Peanuts are a source of Coenzyme Q10 along with fatty fish, beef, soybeans, and spinach.

8. They are very nutritious and when consumed regularly provide all the essential nutrients at a very low cost.  These are supplied daily to the children in Africa as a means of sustenance.