Peanuts are used for many purposes. Originating in South and Central America it is a part of the legume family and is also known as earthnuts, goobers, jack nuts, and monkey nuts. Edible peanuts account for two thirds of total peanut use in the U.S. Peanuts are one of the only nuts that are used for many different things.

Firstly, peanuts can be salted, providing for a quick snack or have grinded peanuts be used as an elegant part of a dish in a restaurant. The most common use is naturally, peanut butter; which is really the oily peanuts that are turned into a pasty substance. Peanut butter than is used for a countless number of things. To make a sandwich, candie, bakery products, and more. Some peanuts are bought unshelled, others shelled and salted. Most recently, peanuts can be fried, where they are eaten both shell and nut. As said before, peanuts (including other nuts) are commonly used for cooking, as well as the peanut oil.

This oil derived from peanuts has a mild flavor and burns at a high temperature. Boiled peanuts are a popular southern U.S. snack, as well as being popular in China. Peanuts are also used for bird feeder, and peanut shells can be put to use in the process of manufacturing plastic, fuel, and abrasives, as well as cellulose (used in paper) and mucilage (glue). Lastly, peanuts can be and are used for making hay and animal feeder. As you can see, peanuts seem to have a never-ending use. Next time you pop a peanut in your mouth, you’ll think of all of its other uses.