Did you know that the month of November is known to some as National Peanut Butter Lovers Month?
This amazing food has captured the hearts and minds of many Americans, but how much do you actually know about peanut butter and peanuts?
If you’re looking to brush up on your peanut knowledge in preparation for this coming November, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn seven fascinating peanut facts that will wow your friends and blow your mind.
In this article
1. Peanuts are Legumes
Despite the misnomer, peanuts aren’t actually nuts at all! They belong to the legume family, along with beans, lentils, and other similar crops.
2. It Takes a Lot of Peanuts to Make Peanut Butter
You probably didn’t realize you were going to learn peanut butter facts today, did you? Luckily for you, we’re about to blow your mind with this fact.
More than five hundred peanuts are used to make each twelve-ounce jar of peanut butter! In the United States, all peanut butter products sold in stores have to be made of at least ninety percent peanuts, which is why so many are used to make each jar of peanut butter.
Whether you get your peanut butter from the generic aisle of the grocery store, or from a gourmet producer like americandreamnutbutter.com, you can rest assured that you’re getting dozens of peanuts in every bite.
3. Peanuts and U. S. Presidents Have a Long History
Back in the day, U. S. presidents didn’t have to be career politicians to qualify for the job. Many early presidents were farmers or agriculturalists of some sort, but only two former presidents can claim the title of a former peanut farmer. Both Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter are able to claim this title.
4. They are Full of Nutrients
The list of peanut uses is long, but one of the most basic of these uses is as an incredible dietary supplement. These small but mighty legumes are full of protein, fiber, niacin, biotin, Vitamin E, and many other vitamins and minerals. No wonder they’re considered to be superfoods!
5. Peanut Oil Also Has Amazing Health Benefits
Just like peanuts, peanut oil is full of Vitamin E, protein, and essential fatty acids, making it a heart-healthy oil choice to include in your diet. These components also make it a popular option for nourishing dry and damaged hair. And this is just the beginning of all the peanut oil uses; it’s an amazingly versatile health and beauty product.
6. A Peanut Was Once an Interstellar Traveler
In 1971, Alan Shepard, an American astronaut, led the Apollo 14 moon landing mission. While this is relatively well-known, a lesser-known fact about this mission is that he brought a peanut with him to the moon!
7. Peanut Butter Wasn’t Created for General Consumption
Well, the man with the patent didn’t think so, anyway. When Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented the process for creating peanut butter, he did so with the purpose of creating food for people without teeth. Who knew then that it would have the mass appeal it does now?
Share These Peanut Facts With the World
Hopefully, you’ve picked up some useful and interesting peanut facts by reading this article. If you learned anything new, share the knowledge by telling your friends and family all about peanuts and how awesome they are!