Peanut Or Groundnut

The peanut or groundnut is a species in the bean family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated in Sudan and is one of its major exports. Its local name is (Foul Sudani).

It is an annual plant growing from 1.00 to 1.6 ft tall with opposite leaves and yellow peaflower-shaped flowers. Peanuts grow in light and require five months of warm weather with little rain.

It is also known as Arachis Hypogaea, hypogaea means “under the earth” since the flower stalk elongates then bends until the ovary touches the ground then the ovary is pushed underground where the fruit develops into the peanut.

Uses :

One of the reasons peanuts are favored as a food item is because of their nutritional value and the fact that they don’t easily spoil for long periods of time. In cooking, peanut oil is healthier in comparison to saturated oils since peanuts are free of trans-fat. Peanuts have over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients and are a good source of fiber, magensium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamin E among other. Since they contain niacin, they contribute to blood flow to the brain. Research has shown that peanuts have “resveratrol”, which has anti-aging effects and reduces cancer risk and also reduces cardiovascular diseases.