The Peanut is the seed
of the plant, Arachis hypogaea, a member of the pea family Fabaceae.
Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the
fruit of the peanut is a woody, indehiscent legume or pod. The
pods, usually containing two seeds each, develop underground.
The peanut plant is a hairy, taprooted annual that measures 30-50
cm (1-1.5 feet) in height. Peanuts are also known as Groundnuts
(because they grow underground), Earthnuts, Goobers, Goober peas,
Pindas, Pinders, Manila nuts and Monkey nuts (although the last
of these is often used to mean the entire pod, not just the seeds).
Peanuts are often roasted and salted, but also are often eaten
raw, or boiled in salt water. They can also be made into peanut
butter, peanut brittle, candy bars, and other products. Peanut
oil is often used in cooking, because it has a mild flavor and
burns only at a relatively high temperature.
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Although most
people enjoy many foods made with peanuts, some people have severe
allergic reactions to peanuts; eating a single peanut can be fatal.
For these individuals, just breathing the dust from peanuts has
caused a fatal reaction. Development of peanut allergy appears
to be associated with the consumption of peanuts in manufactured
baby foods by very young children who would normally only be drinking
mothers' milk before weaning; once developed, the allergy usually
lasts for life. Because of this, peanuts are less frequently served
on airplanes and peanut products are banned by many school districts
for the protection of allergic students.
Above Pictures Come From The U.S.D.A.
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