Description

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) or “groundnuts” as they are commonly referred to, belong to the bean and legume family.  Unlike tree nuts that grow above the ground, peanuts grow below the ground which makes them more closely related to legumes, such as peas and lentils.

Although peanuts are technically considered a legume, their nutritional composition is more similar to a tree nut, such as almond, cashew, or walnut. Due to the nutritional composition of peanuts, The Australian Dietary Guidelines group them with other tree nuts and seeds, rather than legumes. Australians are encouraged to eat a variety of nuts and seeds as part of a healthy diet and recommend a daily serving of 30g to maintain good health.