Fats: Peanuts

by Cheryl Harwood

Peanuts are said to be a healthy snack option, capable of staving off hunger pangs that might develop between meals. Those who are not allergic to them can enjoy the essential nutrients found in this food. According to studies, eating peanuts regularly in moderation, can result in significant reductions in the risk of heart disease.

Peanuts are nutritious, containing healthy fats. If you plant peanuts in your backyard, they will provide you with some of the fats you need.

Origin

Peanuts are believed to have originated in South America, more than 3 500 years ago.

Other Names

Groundnuts, ground pea, earthnut, pindar nut.

Scientific Classification

Arachis hypogaea.

‘Arachis’ means the plant’s pods grow underground.

Hypogaea means underground crypt.

From its botanical name, you can already tell that peanuts grow underneath the soil in their own little space. That is why they are also known as groundnuts.

Age of maturity

Approximately 4 months. Grows to approximately 17 inches tall.

How Peanuts Grow

Peanuts grow better in warm climates. They can be planted all year round in the Caribbean. Farmers often plant peanut kernels that are specially treated, but you can purchase fresh, uncooked, raw peanuts that are still in their shell and remove the kernels (or seeds) to plant.

Planting

• Plant the kernels in loose, fertile soil.

• When planting peanuts, you will need plenty of space. If you utilise a garden bed or field, make sure that the peanut seeds are planted two inches deep and eight inches apart, in well-drained and tilled soiled. Place two or three kernels in one hole to increase the chances for one of them to grow.

• If space is limited, you will need pots or recycled containers that are 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide for each peanut plant. Make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

• The seedlings will crack the soil in about 10 days.

• At 40 days, you should be seeing yellow flowers growing on the plant. These flowers are self fertilising.

• After fertilisation, the yellow petals fall off the plant, leaving the ovary, or what is called the ‘peg’. The peg grows like a stalk, vertically, towards the earth - getting thicker and longer with time.

• At the end of the peg is the embryo. When the peg reaches the soil, it embeds the embryo into the earth, approximately two inches deep, one to two inches apart. The peanut grows underground from the embryo. It is interesting that though the peanut is formed from a flower above the ground, it is carried underground, where it matures.

Maintaining

• After you have planted the seeds successfully, you must make sure they grow well by nourishing them with organic fertilizer.

• When the plants are six inches high, till the soil to help loosen it so that the pegs penetrate easily.

• Water the plants moderately (about 1.5 to two inches of water per week which is three quarters to one imperial gallon for each square foot of surface). Rain often meets those needs, but if that does not happen, you must water them yourself. If you do not, the plant is likely to show stress from drought.

Harvesting

• Once your plants have fully matured, the peanuts will be ready for harvesting. Peanuts mature 120 – 150 days from planting. You will know when peanuts are ready because the leaves of the plant will turn yellow and start to wilt and droop. Do not wait too late for reaping because the peanuts could rot.

• Harvest when the soil is dry. This makes it easier to remove clean peanuts that are free of clumps of mud. This also prevents rot and mould.

• If you have one or two plants, loosen the plant from the soil by taking hold of each plant at the base, and gently rocking it from side to side until it can be removed easily. If you have an entire bed, it is best to use a garden fork to ease the plants from the bed. Lift the plants out and lightly shake off loose dirt.

• When harvesting, some peanuts may become detached from the plant, so do a quick search in the soil so that no nuts are left behind.

• Air dry the peanuts, for at least two weeks, by hanging them in an area that is warm and dry. If the area is humid, mould could form. If it is too hot, flavour will be altered. Once dry, carefully remove the peanuts from the plant and place them on a tray to dry them further. You may need to air dry them for another week.

• Inspect the harvest and discard nuts that have mould or insect damage.

Storing

Raw peanuts can be stored for up to 6 months. Place those which are still in their shells in airtight containers, preferably glass. Keep them in a dry environment that is cool. Shelled raw nuts can be kept in the refrigerator for up to six months.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Peanuts contain fats –monosaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fats. These are considered to be the beneficial fats our bodies need to work properly. Peanuts contain over five times monosaturated and polyunsaturated than saturated fats. According to Mayo Clinic, evidence shows that eating foods rich in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, instead of saturated fats, improves blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease and may also help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Saturated fats are also present in peanuts, though in relatively small quantities. Saturated fats can increase your LDL (low-density lipoproteins) or ‘bad’ cholesterol and this can lead to heart disease. In other words, it would still be wise to watch your portions. One cup of peanuts is enough for one day.

Other nutrients found in peanuts are proteins, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins B6 and E, and a large number of minerals. Peanuts are high in calories, but despite this, experts say they do not contribute significantly to weight gain.

Nutrients Raw Peanuts (1 oz.)

Total Fat .................................................14 g

Saturated Fat ......................................1.8 g

Monounsaturated Fat.....................6.9 g

Polyunsaturated Fat.........................4.4 g

Calories ..........................................161

Information is based on one ounce of peanuts. Taken from peanut-institute.com, The Peanut Institute.

5 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT PEANUTS

1. Peanuts grow better in warm climates.

2. These nuts grow underground. Other nuts grow on trees.

3. Peanuts are considered legumes.

4. Peanut plants need less water than other nuts.

5. When farmers place the harvested plants in rows in the field for them to be dried by the wind, these rows are called windrows.