Preparation, uses, and tips
Peanuts can be eaten whole as a snack or used is a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and
savory. They are very popular when ground into
peanut butter. The peanut is a staple ingredient in many cuisines of the world, including
African, Indonesian, Indian, and South American.
Buying and storing tips
Both shelled and unshelled peanuts should be kept refrigerated in tightly sealed
containers. Unshelled peanuts will keep for up to nine months in the refrigerator, while
shelled peanuts will keep for up to three months. It is important to discard peanuts that are
discolored or even slightly moldy or rancid since they can be easily contaminated by
aflatoxin, a mold that has been linked to
cancer in laboratory animals, though not in humans.
Varieties
There are about ten species of peanuts, each with several different varieties. However,
three varieties are widely produced for consumption: the small, round Spanish peanuts; the
medium-sized oval Valencia peanuts, often sold in the shell; and the large Virginia peanuts,
which are often found in cans and jars of mixed nuts. All three varieties can be used
interchangeably.
Nutrition Highlights
Peanuts (dry roasted), 1 oz. (30 whole
peanuts)
Calories: 168
Protein: 4.9g
Carbohydrate: 7.2g
Total Fat: 14.6g
Fiber: 2.5g
*Good source of: Magnesium (64mg)
*Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient
provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.