Now, peanuts are grown on every continent except Antarctica. (Penguins prefer krill.) The top producers are China, India, and the United States. In the U.S., peanut country is mostly the Southeast—Georgia, Alabama, Florida.
Georgia alone grows about half of America’s peanuts. That’s enough to make a peanut butter sandwich for every person on Earth. Or at least enough to cover a very, very large cracker.
You’ll find peanuts in everything: satay sauce in Thailand, pad thai in Vietnam, peanut soup in West Africa, and of course, classic PB&J in American lunchrooms. They’re a true global citizen. Kinda like the United Nations, but tastier.
A Few Fun Facts (Because Why Not?)
Here’s a mind-bender: peanuts actually grow underground. After the flower pollinates, the stalk bends down and buries the developing pod into the soil. It’s like the plant is saying, “I’m gonna hide my treasure from the birds.”
Peanuts Origin at Bonnie Call blog
Also, it takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. That’s roughly 540 tiny high-fives from the earth. And contrary to urban legend, peanut butter does not contain bugs—that’s a myth that’s been debunked. It’s just roasted peanuts and a little salt. Promise.
Oh, and if you’re one of the unlucky few with a peanut allergy? I’m sorry. But you can still enjoy the story, right?
