Peanuts and peanut butter are probably familiar to everyone. Both are very popular delicacies both in our country and around the world. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and other minerals.
And what else do we know about peanuts?
10 facts about peanuts and peanut butter that you probably don't know.
1. Peanuts are not nuts.
Perhaps not everyone knows that peanuts are actually not nuts but legumes. They officially belong to the group "Leguminosae" (legumes) and their closest relatives are peas, beans, lentils and soybeans. They grow underground and not on trees like other nuts.
Peanuts are cultivated plants that are grown by humans for use or decoration.
2. Peanuts are good for us.
Peanuts contain healthy unsaturated fatty acids that have positive effects on our health. In addition, they are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and various minerals and vitamins.
3. Peanut butter is a great invention.
Did you know that peanut butter was first made by the Aztecs several centuries ago?
It was they who came up with the idea of grinding a few peanuts into a fine spread. Modern peanut butter as we know it today didn't start being produced until a little later, around 1890.
4. There are over 300 peanuts in peanut butter.
There are approximately 320 peanuts in a 200g package of peanut butter. You could also say that there are around 24 peanuts in one tablespoon (15g) of peanut butter.
5. If you want to get rich, grow peanuts.
Peanuts are one of the most widely consumed foods in the world. Total production was estimated at 47 million tons in 2020. The largest peanut producers are China, India, Nigeria, and the United States.
In the United States alone, the peanut market is estimated to be worth around $1.28 billion. The United States is also the largest consumer of peanut butter. Americans eat around $800 million worth of peanut butter each year.
6. Introducing peanuts into children's diets early significantly reduces the risk of allergies.
According to the latest studies, early introduction of peanuts into a child's diet significantly reduces peanut allergy that could appear later in life.
This study could also be supported by a theory from Israel, where the incidence of peanut allergy is very low. According to allergists, this may be due to the increased popularity of BAMBA children's treats, which are made from peanuts.
7. American presidents have loved peanuts.
It should be noted at the outset that there were only two of them, Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter. In addition to the fact that both of them enjoyed peanuts and peanut butter very often, they were also peanut farmers.
Jimmy Carter even sold peanuts grown by his parents on the street at the age of 5.
8. Only peanut butter that contains at least 90% peanuts is considered peanut butter.
Today, we can find a wide variety of peanut butters and spreads in stores. However, the truth is that not all of them can be called “real.” In order to be called peanut butter, it must contain at least 90% peanuts.
9. Arachibutyrophobia or fear of peanut butter.
Few people know that consuming peanut butter can also be dangerous. Sometimes, when consuming it, some people experience a feeling of fear that the butter will stick to the roof of their mouth.
This feeling of fear is called Arachibutyrophobia and occurs very rarely.
10. The peanut throw is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
In 2008, a peanut throwing competition was held in Cardiff, Wales. Colin Jackson threw his peanut a distance of 37.92m, creating a record that is still recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
