Like any other organism on this Earth, there’s a lot of interesting information worth knowing about peanuts. There are some things that you should know if you’re going to be eating peanuts that are directly applicable to your consumption. Other facts are just worth learning about because they’re interesting! For example, you might wonder about the different types of peanuts and their sizes. Read on to learn more about the world’s largest peanut ever grown!
The World’s Largest Peanut Ever Grown
The world’s largest peanut ever grown is the Virginia peanut. It’s the largest of all peanuts, with the largest kernels. These peanuts are actually sold in their shells because of their size and taste. Companies recognize them as good for snacking on their own. They often see it as a waste to use these in peanut butter because of their quality. Of course, these peanuts are sometimes sold outside of their shells as well. When this is the case, companies often sell them as flavored or salted peanuts. Companies who sell them consider them to be “gourmet” peanuts. As the name implies, this variety of peanut is primarily grown in Virginia. However, it is also grown in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. This premium variety of peanut accounts for about 10% of peanut production in the United States.
Other Types of Peanuts
Even though Virginia peanuts are the largest peanuts and are considered the highest-quality peanuts, others can be useful as well.
Runner Peanuts
Runner peanuts are over 80% of the peanuts that are grown in the United States. Typically, these are used to make peanut butter and other confections that include peanuts. Many people think of these as “regular” peanuts. In 2020, farmers planted 1.3 million acres of runner peanuts across 12 different states. The kernels for these peanuts are fairly uniform in size so that they can roast evenly. This is good for the production of peanut butter, as it means that the taste will be consistent in every container.
Spanish Peanuts
Spanish peanuts are small compared to others. They have a particularly nutty flavor profile, as well as red skins on each individual nut. They also have a little bit more oil than other peanuts. This gives them a distinctive flavor, particularly when they are roasted. It also makes them the best peanuts when it comes to extracting peanut oil, which can be very useful in the kitchen. These peanuts are typically grown in western states, such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Spanish peanuts are most often used in peanut butter, confections, and candy. Most of the organic peanuts that are produced in the United States are of this variety.
Valencia Peanuts
Valencia peanuts have at least three kernels per shell. These peanuts are somewhat sweet, and manufacturers often use them to make all-natural peanut butter. They are also good for boiling. These peanuts are less than 1% of the peanuts produced in the United States, and they are grown primarily in New Mexico and Texas.
Are Peanuts Nuts?
To most people, a peanut is the most common nut that they can think of. However, according to botanists, peanuts are not nuts at all. A nut in the true sense is a dry fruit with one seed inside a hard wall that cannot open on its own. Hazelnuts, walnuts, acorns, and chestnuts fit this criteria. Peanuts, on the other hand, have two seeds and can be broken open easily. They are technically legumes, as they grow in pods. This means that in terms of scientific classifications, they have more in common with lentils and snow peas than they do with walnuts and chestnuts. However, many sets of dietary guidelines group peanuts with seeds and tree nuts, rather than legumes. In terms of nutritional composition, they have more in common with tree nuts, such as cashews, walnuts, and almonds, than they do with most other legumes.
Peanut Allergies
Even though peanuts are legumes, rather than true nuts, the proteins in them are similar to the ones that are in tree nuts. People who are allergic to peanuts are often also allergic to tree nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, and almonds. People who are allergic to nuts have immune systems that overreact to proteins inside the nuts. The immune system recognizes these proteins as potentially harmful Invaders and tries to fight them off, which causes the allergic reaction that the person experiences. If someone is allergic to peanuts, even a small amount of this protein can trigger a reaction. It is rare to have an allergic reaction from breathing in small particles of nuts, since most foods that contain peanuts do not release enough of the protein into the air to trigger a reaction. If someone has a peanut or tree nut allergy, it can cause a variety of symptoms. A severe reaction known as anaphylaxis is possible. A person can start to have breathing problems or even become unconscious. If it isn’t quickly treated, anaphylaxis can potentially be fatal. This is why people with these allergies generally carry epinephrine auto-injectors.
Health Benefits of Peanuts
As long as you do not have a peanut allergy, there are many health benefits that can come with consuming peanuts. There is some scientific evidence that suggests that eating 1.5 ounces of some type of nut per day can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Peanuts contain more protein than any other type of nut, at 7 grams per serving. They also contain quite a bit of fiber and unsaturated (good) fats, in addition to 30 essential vitamins and minerals. These include Vitamin E, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus, fiber, niacin, manganese, and many others. Peanuts can also help with weight loss, as they can help you feel satiated after eating fewer calories. They are a low glycemic food, meaning they won’t raise your blood sugar levels and can even lower the risk of diabetes in some cases. Peanuts can help reduce inflammation, and they can even help lower the risk of development in older people of gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma, a type of stomach cancer.
