The peanut,
also known as the groundnut, goober, or monkey nut, and taxonomically
classified as Arachis hypogaea, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible
seeds. It is widely grown in the tropics and subtropics, being important to
both small and large commercial producers as the nuts are eaten directly and
butter and other eatables made from it.Peanuts originated in South
America. They go by a variety of names, such as groundnuts, earthnuts, and
goobers. Despite their name, peanuts are unrelated to tree nuts. As a
legume, they're related to beans, lentils, and soy. In the United
States, peanuts are rarely eaten raw.
Peanuts are also known as groundnuts are considered
by many as poor man’s cashew nut. It is considered to be packed with nutrients.
The peanuts are eaten in different ways and forms. It’s simply roasted with its
cover or loose or withjust the top skin.
In some cases it is boiled in salt water, the cover is torn opened, the soft
salted nut is eaten. Some find it delicious. The nuts are even roasted and
eaten plain, salted or with a coating of masala (spices) coating. Peanut butterand
other food items and eatables are made from peanuts. In India people love peanuts
and is mixed in various dry snacks apart from being eaten roasted, boiled or
otherwise. Roasted peanut is also served with alchoholic drinks. Drinkers love
it. Sip and munch!
It is grown in many parts of India and around the
world in the tropical region. As the saying goes – one man’s food is another
man’s poison. And it’s a fact with peanut. Many people are allergic to peanut
and peanut products. Some reactions are serious and can even lead to death.
Many years ago during my trip to the Cuddapah area
in then Andhra Pradesh in India, during our walk in the remote area spread with
groundnut fields in vast areas, had an unique experience. As we walked, from a
distance we could see a farmer calling out in our direction. My local friend
informed that the farmer and his family is inviting us to his field. We walked
towards the field. The farmer was happy to see us come, greeted us and cleaning
a couple of big stones, requested us to sit on them.
As we sat and looked around, the farmer and his
family plucked out groundnut plants with fresh groundnuts from the fields,
cleaned them and roasted the groundnuts on the fire. They placed the freshly
roasted groundnuts on leaves before us, and requested us to eat the nuts. Later
offered us water and bid us farewell. Later, I learnt from the local that, it’s
an age-old custom that during the first harvest, they invite the first stranger
they happen to see and offer them the first crop as per their tradition. They
believe it brings them good fortune.
Peanuts are an especially good source of
healthful fats, protein, and fiber. They also contain plenty of potassium,
phosphorous, magnesium, and B vitamins. Despite being high in
calories, peanuts are nutrient-rich and low in carbohydrates.
They're a convenient source of protein and come
with the added bonus of healthful nutrients, such as antioxidants, iron,
magnesium, and fiber. The majority of fats in peanuts are
heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower “bad”
LDL cholesterol. Studies show that the amino acid L-arginine is helpful for
improving sexual function in men. Preliminary studies have found
that L-arginine may help with erectile
dysfunction. Peanuts are a rich natural source of L-argininie.
But just has people love to eat peanuts, there are
many who are allergic to it around the world. Peanut allergy kills 4 US kids
every year. This has spooked Americans so much, the parents don’t let their
kids go near a peanut, although doctors recommend feeding infants
peanut-containing foods from the age of 4-6 months. Since most of them haven’t
ever tasted peanut , more of them are growing up with the allergy. In fact,
2-5% of US kids are estimated to be peanut-allergic today.
The most severe allergic reaction
to peanuts is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening whole-body response to
an allergen. Symptoms may include impaired breathing, swelling in the
throat, a sudden drop in blood pressure, pale skin or blue lips, fainting and
dizziness.
Peanuts can cause a severe, potentially
life-threatening allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis). Allergic reactions can be unpredictable, and even very
small amounts of peanut can cause one. Casual skin contact is less
likely to trigger a severe reaction.
But death by peanut is extremely rare.
While estimates range from about 150 to 200 deaths a year from peanut
allergies, reporting is spotty and not required, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention officially documents only 13 deaths (including six
adults) between 1996 and 2006.
Recently , a biotech company has sought permission
to market a drug called Palforzia that could be worth $1 billion a year, reports The Atlantic. One will need it
lifelong, but still won’t be able to munch peanuts at will. It only claims to
make you more resilient in case of accidental exposure.
What does this $4,200-a-year (Rs 3 lakh) treatment
contain? You will be surprised, nothing but tiny amounts of peanut flour! $1
billion annual revenue from Palforzia likely to exceed Rs 7,100 crore.
Isn’t it an interesting business proposition? I am
going nuts!
MyPost
The Sun you
don’t know!
The sun has a diameter of about 1.4 million
kilometers (870,000 miles). To put this in perspective, this is almost 110
times the diameter of the Earth. What this means is that about one million
Earth’s could be inside the sun. The sun accounts for 99.86 per cent of mass in
the solar system. It is three quarters hydrogen and most of the remaining mass
is helium. The sun will continue to burn for 130 million years and after it
burns through all of its Hydrogen, instead burning helium. During this time it
will expand to such a size that it will engulf Mercury, Venus and Earth. When
it reaches this point, it will have become a red giant star.
The average distance from sun to the Earth is about
150 million km. Light travels at 300,000 km per second so dividing one by the
other gives you 500 seconds – eight minutes and 20 seconds. This energy can
reach Earth in mere minutes, but it takes millions of years to travel from
sun’s core to its surface.
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Picture Post:
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| Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan |
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