Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Other names: peanuts, peanuts, peanuts, peanuts, peanuts

The groundnut, better known as peanut or peanut, is a plant native to South America, where it was discovered several thousand years ago. It is an annual herb belonging to the legume family. The typical feature of this plant is its flowers with long, thin stems which, after fertilisation, ripen at the end in the form of underground pods. They are mostly grown in tropical and subtropical areas where the warm climate contributes to ideal ripening.

Peanuts are used in many areas of the food industry. The most famous product is certainly peanut butter, which is made from roasted peanuts. It is particularly popular in the USA, where it is often used as a sandwich filling. Peanuts are also an important ingredient in some types of chocolate and sweet bars. In addition, peanuts are also used to make oil, which can be used in heat-intensive cooking. It is highly valued for its flavour and high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Less well known is probably peanut flour, which can be used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. In vegetarian and vegan cuisine, peanuts are also used to make meat substitutes. Last but not least, peanuts can also be eaten on their own, whether roasted, salted or in their natural form.