Where do peanuts come from?

Peanuts originally came from South America, most likely Brazil or Peru, but they now are grown in many countries around the world. Peanuts are obtained from a mature Arachis hypogaea plant, which looks like a bush.

The peanut is not a nut, despite its name, but it is a legume instead. Peanuts are commonly eaten raw after one breaks open the shell. They can also be roasted or blended into peanut butter. The peanut plant blooms once a year and grows to a height of approximately 12 to 20 inches. Peanuts can be picked off the plant by hand or be harvested using a large mechanical harvester.