Most people probably assume that peanuts are actual nuts, but here’s a fun gardening fact: they’re actually legumes! Just like beans and peas, peanuts belong to the Fabaceae family. If you look at the name “peanut,” it actually describes them perfectly—it’s like a “pea” that acts like a “nut.” This little name hint really highlights their close relationship to your favorite garden veggies.
Peanuts don’t climb—they head underground
While peas, beans, and most other legumes grow above ground and often need a trellis or stakes to climb toward the sun, peanuts have a totally different strategy. They grow their pods underground! We likely call them “nuts” simply because they have that signature hard shell and a crunch that feels way more like a walnut than a garden pea.
You can actually eat peanuts raw
When you compare peanuts to other legumes, you’ll notice some big differences in how we use them in the kitchen. Many legumes, like chickpeas and kidney beans, are a big no-no when raw because they contain a toxin called phasin, which only gets neutralized during cooking. Peanuts, on the other hand, are perfectly safe to snack on raw right out of the shell.
A heads-up on histamines
Even though these high-fat legumes aren’t toxic raw or cooked, they do pack a lot of histamine. This can be a real issue for anyone with sensitivities or allergies. Histamine can trigger everything from swelling and rashes to shortness of breath. For those with a severe allergy, the way it causes airways to swell can actually be life-threatening.
If your body isn’t a fan of peanuts, you’ll usually know pretty quickly. Common signs include an itchy tongue or throat, and sometimes your eyelids might start to puff up. Stay safe and happy gardening!
