Peanuts also known as groundnuts are annual leguminous herb native to South America. Brazil and Peru were possibly the countries where they were first discovered. From there they were supposedly brought to Africa by pioneers and missionaries and later, from Africa to America by Traders. Peanuts grow in tropical and subtropical climates, between 40’N to 40’S of the equator, and are cultivated in over one hundred countries across all five continents.
China, Argentina, USA
Raw/blanched, wholes, splits, flour
Bags, big bags
Peantus grow in a wide range of soils, with the exception of saline soils since they have a low salt tolerance. Peanut is a self-pollinated annual legume crop with a growing period of about 5 months. After flower pollination, pegs (stalks that hold the flower) lean over into the soil, where seed-containing pods are formed and developed.
Peanuts may be cultivated once or twice yearly, depending on the growing region. A climate with about 160-200 frost-free days is required for a good crop, the optimum temperature range being between 25 and 30 degrees. In the Northern hemisphere, peanuts are planted in April or May, when soil temperatures reach about 20 degrees. In the southern hemisphere, the planting date is usually from October to December.
Used as snack- Roasted in shell- Roasted, salted, chocolate covered, flavoredUsed as ingredient- Peanut Butter- Peanut Flower- Peanut Oil