An Overview of Groundnut [The Peanut]
Hello friends,
It is another interesting moment to make a post on one item we know and most times find in our culinary space. Groundnut, also known as peanut, is from the legume family and is commonly consumed in this part of the world. This is a seed plant rich in plant protein.
The peanut is seen to be rich in protein, healthy fats, and other essential vitamins and fiber. This makes it desirable, not just for the fun of consumption. This is one of the best nuts I have an affinity for, given my consumption. But I also think I have company this time. My kids are now more active in ensuring that this product doesn’t stay in the house longer when purchased. My worry is their continuous high appetite for it.
Let's dive into a little on this plant and talk about its production. Groundnut, as I said, is largely grown in Nigeria. In the 50's, there were groundnut pyramids, which were a symbol of pride in the production strides established in growing groundnut. The warm weather is known to be suitable for its growth.
Groundnut is best grown in a warm climate. climate of about 20 to 30ºC. A well-drained soil is an ideal soil type with moderate rainfall of about 600-1200 mm. The Sub-Saharan tropical meets this ideal growing condition for groundnut production. Aside from Nigeria being among the top producers of this product, we have China, the USA, and India making the list.
Looking at the uses of this nut plant, we can agree with me that it has diverse uses. We have seen its culinary contribution to many homes, especially in African homes, where it complements some life-saving meals 😋. Aside from this, we have tremendous achievements in the oil extraction obtained from this nut plant. Groundnut oil has become a major cooking oil in our homes.
We have also seen the husk and remains serving a great purpose in producing animal feeds. Animal feeds from this plant serve a great deal in providing great nutritional benefits to our livestock, given its richly dense components, especially in protein.
We also fund other use cases like its use in peanut butter, flour, and other forms of snacks. It is indeed a variety of the most homemade snacks we can think of, with the ability to combine with most food mixes. It is a versatile product used in cosmetics and other pharmaceuticals.
For more highlights on some of the local home recipes it serves, we have the groundnut stew in Nigeria, where it is blended into tomatoes and other food ingredients. Aside from the stew delicacy, it is also used in peanut soup, where it is blended with veggies and other ingredients.
Lastly, let us look at Health Benefits:
- It is a protein-rich source of plant-based protein
- It contains a heart-healthy fat which makes it ideal for consumption.
- It is an excellent source of antioxidants due to the presence of vitamin E. Resveratrol is known to fight oxidative stress.
- The presence of its fiber content helps to support digestion.
Thank you, friends for reading...
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