Margaret Johns

UCCE Advisor, Kern County

Nutrition, Family & Consumer Science

March 14, 2000

MARCH IS NATIONAL PEANUT MONTH

Eating peanuts and peanut products often and in small amounts may reduce the risks of heart disease and cancer. Peanuts, grapes and red wine contain a natural plant compound called resveratrol that boosts "good cholesterol" and limits the production of the artery-clogging "bad cholesterol." Resveratrol has also been found to stop the growth of damaged cells in the body that can cause cancer.
Peanuts are a good source of protein, vitamin E, and fiber. They also contain other important vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, thiamin, niacin, copper, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, and zinc. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the main fats found in peanuts. These fats also help lower "bad cholesterol."

It is believed that peanuts originated as a food source in Brazil or Peru in about 950 B.C. The demand for peanuts increased in the U.S. during the Civil War, when soldiers used them as food. Today, Americans eat 2.4 billion pounds of peanuts each year. Nine states in the U.S. grow about 10% of the world's peanut crops (Georgia, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, South Carolina, New Mexico).

Because peanuts are not nuts but legumes, they grow in the ground and not on trees. The peanut plant grows above the ground, but the actual peanuts grow below the ground. Depending on the variety, peanuts can be ready to harvest about 4-5 months after planting.

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

There are more than 300 uses for peanuts. Almost half of the U.S. peanut crop is used to make peanut butter. The peanuts are first shelled, then roasted and the skins removed. They are then ground to a smooth, even-textured butter. Emulsifiers are then added to prevent the peanut oil from separating. Next, the peanut butter is packaged for sale at stores. A product can only be called peanut butter if it is at least 90% peanuts. Other uses for peanuts are candy bars, peanut oil for cooking, kitty litter, paper, shaving cream, and medicine.

The best way to store peanuts is in a cool, dry place. They can also be kept frozen for a long period of time if they are placed in a tightly closed container. Raw is best for baking, and roasted/salted in-the-shell are popular for snacking.

For a fun snack, try making apple-peanut butter wheels. Wash and core an apple. Stuff the apple with about two tablespoons of peanut butter. Wrap the stuffed apple with plastic food wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Slice apple to make wheels with a peanut butter center.

Sources: www.aboutpeanuts.com

www.peanut-institute.org

Lisa Franco, Dietetic Intern, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County