Do Peanuts Come from Trees or Plant?

When it comes to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, there are a lot of questions that come to mind. One of the most common is, where do peanuts come from? Are they harvested from trees or plants? The answer may surprise you.

Peanuts are Legumes, Not Nuts

First of all, it's important to note that peanuts are not actually nuts – they are legumes. Legumes are plants that produce a pod with seeds inside. Some other common legumes include beans, peas, and lentils. This means that peanuts do not grow on trees.

The Peanut Plant

So, where do peanuts come from? They come from a plant called Arachis hypogaea, which is native to South America. The peanut plant is relatively small, usually growing to be about 1-2 feet tall. It has yellow flowers that eventually turn into tendrils, which then grow down into the soil to create the peanut pods.

The Peanut Pod

The peanut pod contains between one and four peanut seeds or kernels. Each seed is encased in a thin, papery covering called the seed coat. The seeds are usually oval or round and can range in size from small to large. Peanuts can be processed and eaten in a variety of ways, including roasted, boiled, or ground into peanut butter.

Peanut Farming

Peanuts are grown in warm climates worldwide. In the United States, the major peanut-producing states are Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. To grow peanuts, farmers till and fertilize the soil before planting the seeds. Once the seeds are planted, the plants are watered and weeded regularly. The plants will eventually produce flowers, which will turn into the familiar peanut pods.

Conclusion

So, do peanuts come from trees or plants? The answer is clear: peanuts come from the peanut plant, which is a legume. While peanuts are commonly associated with nuts, they are actually quite different in terms of their plant origin. Hopefully, knowing a little bit more about where peanuts come from will make your next peanut butter sandwich all the more satisfying.