Nutritional Facts:
Peanuts provide a delicious and accessible source of protein to the human diet. Peanuts are considered a legume and are related to beans, lentils, and soy. They are rich in protein, fats, and various other nutrients. Studies show that consuming peanuts can be useful for improved weight management and reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. With a low carb content and low glycemic index, peanuts can be a good dietary option for people with diabetes. The peanut is a good source of a range of minerals and nutrients and maintains a high antioxidant content.
Fun Facts:
- About 94 percent of households in America consume peanut butter to provide sustenance to their diet.
- It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
- It takes fewer than 5 gallons of water to produce 1 ounce of peanuts. (Bonus fact: 1 ounce of almonds takes 80 gallons)
- Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men opt for chunky.
- The most common byproducts of this commodity are used for peanut butter, candies and desserts, and snack nuts.
- George Washington Carver was known as the “plant doctor” and the “grandfather of peanuts”. Though he did not invent peanut butter, he discovered many ways to use peanuts and innovative farming methods, including crop diversification and soil conservation.
Economic Value:
In Florida, there is an annual production value of roughly $145 million for peanuts. The bulk of this production comes out of the Suwannee Valley and the Panhandle totaling over 670 million pounds of peanuts annually. Within the Suwannee Valley region, there were approximately 81,600 planted acres of peanuts with a farm gate value estimated at $69 million dollars.
Sources:
The National Peanut Board
To learn more about peanuts, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Agent.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
0
