Is a peanut a nut?

Many people may be surprised to hear that a peanut is not really a nut. Although the peanut is commonly known as a nut and is used in many nut mixes, its actual classification is a bit more complicated.

What is a peanut?

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) belongs to the family of legumes (Fabaceae), the same group as peas, beans and lentils. Unlike real nuts that grow on trees, peanuts grow underground. The peanut plant blooms above ground, but the fruit develops underground.

Why is a peanut called a nut?

The peanut is often called a nut because of its culinary properties. It tastes and looks like a nut in many ways, and is used in cooking in the same way as other nuts. In addition, the name peanut in many languages, such as the English “peanut”, refers to the nut.

Nutritional properties of peanuts

Peanuts are nutritious and contain plenty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. They are a particularly good source of vitamin E, magnesium and folate. Peanuts are also popular for their versatility; they can be eaten as is, roasted, salted or with peanut butter.

Allergies and peanuts

Peanut allergy is one of the most common and serious food allergies. Although the peanut is not technically a nut, its proteins can cause severe allergic reactions. It is important that people with a peanut allergy avoid peanuts and products containing peanuts.

Summary

Although the peanut is commonly called a nut, it is not really a nut but a legume. This difference is due to its biological classification and growth habit. However, peanuts are nutritious and versatile foods that are widely used in different parts of the world.

For more information about peanuts and their classification, you can read, for example, Britannica and Healthline sites.