Skin-on Peanuts

The peanut plant originates from South America. In the 16th century, this plant was spread by the Spanish to (sub)tropical regions all over the world. It is suspected, however, that the peanut was already known in Brazil before the Common Era. Today, peanuts come from countries such as the United States, China, Egypt, Israel and South Africa.

The peanut is the fruit or pod of a peanut plant. This is why the peanut is not a nut, but a legume.

The peanut plant is an annual plant of about 45 cm tall. Peanut seeds are planted about five cm deep in sandy soils, and preferably in soil rich in lime. The seeds sprout when the soil is warm and the plants receive enough water. Within about two weeks, the first leaves unfold above the peanut field. Thirty to forty days later, the plants flower and small shoots are formed. Sixty to seventy days after that, the pods with kernels are fully grown.

During harvesting, the entire plant, including the roots, is removed by machine. The machine turns the plant over and lays it down with the peanuts facing upwards so they can dry. Drying takes about two days.