Peanuts

Preparation, uses, and tips

Peanuts can be eaten whole as a snack or used is a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. 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 mould that has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals, though not in humans.

Varieties

There are about ten species of peanuts, each with a few 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 an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.