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Letter P- Peanut Power I did not know, until I was told by my cardiologist that peanuts are not really nuts though they may taste like nuts. Being curious, I asked my doctor to explain why a peanut is called a nut when it is not a nut? In reply, my doctor suggested reading proper articles if I was really interested to know more about nuts and beans. Simultaneously, he advised to spread peanut butter on my bread toast instead of milk butter while taking breakfast in the morning. He also asked to make peanut butter sandwiches to eat during lunch break. He spent some of his precious time explaining the benefits of eating peanut products including peanut butter. Returning home, and without wasting a minute of my time, I looked for a copy of my Merriam- Webster Dictionary to find the truths about peanuts. And the related truths were as follows: Definition of peanut (Entry 1 of 2) 1: a low-branching widely cultivated annual herb (Arachis hypogaea) of the legume family with showy yellow flowers having a peduncle which elongates and bends into the soil where the ovary ripens into a pod containing one to oily edible seeds also: its seed or seed-containing pod 2: an insignificant or tiny person As the information above did not say as to why ‘a peanut is called a nut when it is really not a nut’, I went looking for more information on the net. Finally, I could manage to find the following that is quoted below verbatim: Quote Peanut …. The peanut, or groundnut, is a species in the legume or "bean" family. The peanut was probably first domesticated and cultivated in the valleys of Paraguay. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing 30 50 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, pinnate with four leaflets, each leaflet is 1 7 cm long and 1 3 cm broad. The flowers are a typical pea flower in shape, 2 4 cm across, yellow with reddish veining. Hypogaea means " under the earth"; after pollination, the flower stalk elongates causing it to bend until the ovary touches the ground. Continued stalk growth then pushes the ovary underground where the mature fruit develops into a legume pod, the peanut – a classical example of geocarpy. Pods are 3 to 7 cm long, containing 1 to 4 seeds. Peanuts are known by many other local names such as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts. Despite its name and appearance, the peanut is not a nut, but rather a legume. … Unquote I had to toil a long time to find the answer to my query but could not get the right one I was looking for. Could any one of my readers tell me why a peanut is called a nut when it is not really a nut? 
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Just asking!
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Years ago one of my daughter's friends had a peanut allergy and I remember doing some research on this very topic to help keep her safe. I remember reading that peanuts are legumes and not related to tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, though co-allergies are common. The distinction between legumes and nuts … couldn't remember that but did a quick search and it looks like the biggest distinction is that peanuts are considered legumes because they grow underground whereas nuts grow on trees. Additional distinctions are that legumes' pods contain multiple seeds versus nuts' single seed. And the pods of legumes apparently burst open on their own during cultivation versus nuts which have to be cracked open manually. Probably more information than you wanted! Lol Great photo .. thanks for posting!   A day without dance is .... just kidding. I have no idea!
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A strawberry is actually not a berry. I use peanut butter with curry for cooking some of my favorite dishes. I tend to eat weird combinations that others might find strange. Abracadabra 
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PROBABLY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A NUT WHEN IN THE SHELL. INTERESTING YOUR CARDIOLOGIST TOLD YOU TO REPLACE BUTTER WITH PEANUT BUTTER. SEEING I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS, I MIGHT JUST TRY THAT.
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Years ago one of my daughter's friends had a peanut allergy and I remember doing some research on this very topic to help keep her safe. I remember reading that peanuts are legumes and not related to tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, though co-allergies are common. The distinction between legumes and nuts … couldn't remember that but did a quick search and it looks like the biggest distinction is that peanuts are considered legumes because they grow underground whereas nuts grow on trees. Additional distinctions are that legumes' pods contain multiple seeds versus nuts' single seed. And the pods of legumes apparently burst open on their own during cultivation versus nuts which have to be cracked open manually. Probably more information than you wanted! Lol Great photo .. thanks for posting!
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A strawberry is actually not a berry. I use peanut butter with curry for cooking some of my favorite dishes. I tend to eat weird combinations that others might find strange.
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PROBABLY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A NUT WHEN IN THE SHELL. INTERESTING YOUR CARDIOLOGIST TOLD YOU TO REPLACE BUTTER WITH PEANUT BUTTER. SEEING I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS, I MIGHT JUST TRY THAT.
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Your blog is very interesting, as are the comments!!
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LookLook love your blog about peanuts for the letter "P". It is strange the peanut has nut in its name. I know in the southern states they boil peanuts and are quite a delicacy. I tried them when I was visiting in the south and they didn't appeal to me at all. So perhaps because it is actually a bean that is why they boil them. I always find your blogs interesting.
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Peanuts are a good source of protein and other nutrients, which is likely why your cardiologist recommended the peanut butter. We both have some almost every day. Down in the south, where Joe was raises, boiled peanuts are very popular. They are still in the shells, and wet and messy to eat, but for those who enjoy them, they are delicious. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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Interesting, I learn things everyday. Thanks for sharing! "The only way to have a friend is to be one."
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Oops!! I just wanted to apologize! My earlier answer went in the wrong direction because I misread your question. I thought you had asked, "Why is a peanut not really a nut?". I'll slow down and read more carefully next time I promise! To answer the question you actually asked ... My guess is that we call peanuts nuts because we treat them the way we treat most nuts, for example grinding them into nut butter and using them raw as garnishes. Those are uses that wouldn't work for legumes (their actual classification). A day without dance is .... just kidding. I have no idea!
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Your blog is very interesting, as are the comments!!
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Peanuts are used in a lot recipes. When I was growing up my mother would make peanut brittle at Christmas. This was a favorite of mine. Peanuts are also used in cookies and of course salted peanuts are a favorite for munching on.
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LookLook love your blog about peanuts for the letter "P". It is strange the peanut has nut in its name. I know in the southern states they boil peanuts and are quite a delicacy. I tried them when I was visiting in the south and they didn't appeal to me at all. So perhaps because it is actually a bean that is why they boil them. I always find your blogs interesting. Before concluding, I must tell you that I love to read from you here on my blog pages always. Your comments always enrich my blogs. Thanks again. Stay well and safe.
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Peanuts are a good source of protein and other nutrients, which is likely why your cardiologist recommended the peanut butter. We both have some almost every day. Down in the south, where Joe was raises, boiled peanuts are very popular. They are still in the shells, and wet and messy to eat, but for those who enjoy them, they are delicious. You are right that peanuts are a good source of protein and other nutrients. Now I know why my mom always preferred to use peanut oil as her cooking oil instead of Mustard oil that was used extensively in this part of the world at that time. I also now know that an ounce of oil-roasted salted peanuts is an excellent source of niacin and manganese and a good source of fiber, phosphorus, vitamin E, folate, copper, and magnesium. Thanks for your post. Stay well and healthy always.
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Interesting, I learn things everyday. Thanks for sharing!
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Oops!! I just wanted to apologize! My earlier answer went in the wrong direction because I misread your question. I thought you had asked, "Why is a peanut not really a nut?". I'll slow down and read more carefully next time I promise! To answer the question you actually asked ... My guess is that we call peanuts nuts because we treat them the way we treat most nuts, for example grinding them into nut butter and using them raw as garnishes. Those are uses that wouldn't work for legumes (their actual classification). No need to apologize. Your earlier post is full of information that helped me to differentiate the two easily. As mentioned somewhere above, your post has enriched this blog of mine. Stay well and happy, my friend.
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Peanuts are used in a lot recipes. When I was growing up my mother would make peanut brittle at Christmas. This was a favorite of mine. Peanuts are also used in cookies and of course salted peanuts are a favorite for munching on.
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Glad to read from you here on my blog page, Sandy. I trust you would not mind addressing you as sandy as often done by some members of this site. The name is easy to pronounce as well as write too. Thanks for the post that has described the blog contents correctly. Take Care. Be safe.
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8/29/2021 5:29 am |
PEANUTS----great read>>>>>>>call up George Washington Carver----a black man------one of the greater American scientists------discovered numerous ways of substituting peanuts for other products. I remember reading his story in the 8th grade. A great man. Party On!
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PEANUTS----great read>>>>>>>call up George Washington Carver----a black man------one of the greater American scientists------discovered numerous ways of substituting peanuts for other products. I remember reading his story in the 8th grade. A great man. Party On!
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Very interesting blog and comments looklook, thanks for sharing.
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Very interesting blog and comments looklook, thanks for sharing.
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Sorry, I did not comment. I have very sad family news......... Happiness is when what you think, what you say, what you do are in harmony - M. Gandhi
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