Here's a simple list of all the ways peanuts are used:
Food & Cooking
- Peanut butter - spread for sandwiches and snacks
- Cooking oil - great for frying because it can handle high heat
- Snacks - roasted, boiled, salted, honey-roasted
- Candy - peanut brittle, chocolate bars, M&Ms
- Asian dishes - pad thai sauce, satay, stir-fries
- African stews - groundnut soup
- Baking - cookies, cakes, peanut flour for gluten-free recipes
- Peanut milk - dairy-free drink alternative
- Ice cream - flavor and mix-in
Farm & Garden
- Animal feed - high-protein food for chickens, cows, pigs
- Soil improver - adds nitrogen naturally to help other plants grow
- Crop rotation - planted between other crops to restore soil
- Mulch - shells used to cover garden beds
Health & Medicine
- Heart health - helps lower cholesterol
- Diabetes management - doesn't spike blood sugar
- Weight control - keeps you full longer
- Malnutrition treatment - emergency food for starving children
- Allergy therapy - new treatments to reduce peanut allergies
- Vitamin source - packed with protein, healthy fats, vitamins
Industrial Uses
- Biodiesel fuel - can power diesel engines
- Cosmetics - skin creams, lotions, shampoo
- Paint and varnish - oil used in manufacturing
- Particle board - shells pressed into building materials
- Paper products - shells used in paper making
- Plastics - oil used to make certain plastics
- Soap - oil used in soap production
- Insulation - shells used for building insulation
Environmental
- Water cleaning - shells filter pollutants from water
- Biochar - burned shells improve soil and store carbon
- Kitty litter - ground shells absorb moisture
- Fire logs - compressed shells burn like wood
Science & Technology
- Space food - NASA considers them for Mars missions
- Vaccine development - used to create allergy treatments
- Lab research - proteins used in scientific studies
- 3D printing - peanut protein used as printing material
Cultural & Historical
- Religious ceremonies - used in African and South American rituals
- Traditional medicine - Chinese and Indian healing practices
- Holiday traditions - Christmas candy, festival foods
- Economic crop - major income source for farmers worldwide
Other Creative Uses
- Bird food - attracts wildlife
- Crafts - shells used for decorations
- Natural dye - skins create reddish-brown color
- Massage oil - used in spa treatments
- Furniture polish - oil protects wood
- Leather conditioner - keeps leather soft
The amazing thing about peanuts is that almost every part gets used - the nuts themselves, the oil pressed from them, the shells, and even the plants. Nothing goes to waste!