Peanuts are a very popular snack or appetizer.
Maní is a word of Taíno origin, an Arawak language spoken by aborigines who were settled in the Caribbean area when Europeans arrived on the American continent. Also known as peanut or groundnut , the peanut is a plant prized above all for its edible seeds .
Scientifically named Arachis hypogaea , this plant species has a creeping stem, yellowish flowers and lobed leaves. It is an annual herb whose planting is done in late spring.
A valued food
The peanut fruit , arranged in pods, has a shell with a thickness of between 0.5 and 1 millimeter. Although it is usually considered a nut , it is actually a legume .
Inside it can contain two, three or four seeds with a high oil content. These seeds are consumed fried or toasted, either with or without shell.
In many countries, roasted or fried peanuts are eaten as an appetizer or snack . It is also frequently prepared as caramelised , covered in syrup . In addition, pralines , nougats and various sweets and candy are made with peanuts.
Although there are people who may suffer allergies to some of the components, peanuts have high amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which help improve heart health, reduce bad cholesterol and contribute to blood pressure regulation. arterial .
Bread with peanut butter.
Oil and peanut butter
Peanut oil is obtained by pressing or cooking the seeds of the plant. It is used in wok recipes, to season salads or to fry.
Gastronomy is not the only destination for peanut oil. This product is also used as fuel in diesel engines and to make soap .
Peanut butter or butter , on the other hand, is a paste that, in addition to roasted and ground peanuts, usually includes different flavorings. It is often mixed with vanilla or chocolate, for example.
Use of the shell
Although the peanut shell is generally thrown away, it is important to mention that it can be reused in different ways. One of its uses is in livestock farming , where it is mixed with the food supplied to the animals.
A boiler , meanwhile, can be fed with peanut shells as fuel . The peanut shell is even used to make chipboard panels , combining it with wood.
Peanut pests
Peanut crops can suffer from the actions of different pests . The larvae of certain beetles (known as blind hens), red spider mites and different types of worms affect the plant.
Peanuts can also suffer from fungal infection such as Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus . These organisms are capable of causing contamination of peanut seeds with aflatoxins, which are highly toxic mycotoxins. Exposure to a high level of aflatoxin can cause serious liver damage, from cirrhosis to cancer .
Crop care , therefore, is essential for the subsistence of peanuts and to enable their commercial exploitation. There are multiple alternatives to prevent and combat the aforementioned pests.