Peanuts also called as groundnuts belong to the family Fabaceae and they are mainly cultivated for its edible seeds. Unlike other crop plants, peanuts grow underground rather than above the ground. Peanuts are included in diet all over the world in various ways.

It is believed that peanuts originated in Brazil or Peru. They are believed to be the first cultivators of wild peanuts and offered them to the Sun God as part of their religious ceremonials. George Washington Carver is known as “The peanut man” because he developed more than three hundred products which were derived from the peanut.

China is the largest producer of peanuts in the world. China is followed by India. In India, Gujarat is the largest groundnut producing state followed by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Peanuts are said to be very rich in protein, oil, and fibers. Apart from oil production, peanuts are also used in the production of peanut butter, confections, roasted peanuts, snack products, soups, and desserts.

Peanut consists of many other functional compounds such as proteins, fibers, polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals It has been identified that peanuts are a  great source of compounds such as resveratrol, phenolic acids, flavonoids and phytosterols which helps in blocking the absorption of bad cholesterol from our food.

Some basic facts about Peanuts:

• Scientific Name: Arachis hypogaea
• Common Name(s): Peanut, (Arachis hypogaea), also called groundnut, earthnut
• Family: Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae – Pea family  
• Common Hindi name: मूँगफली (Munghphali)
• Native Region and Geographical Distribution: The peanut plants are believed to have originated in Brazil or Peru, although no fossil records exist to prove this. But people in South America (3,500 years or so) have been making pottery in the shape of peanuts.
• Fun fact: Nearly 540 peanuts are required to make a jar of peanut butter.

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