Peanuts
It is believed that the peanut originated on the slopes of the Andes in Brazil and Peru. Anthropologists working on the slopes of the Andes in Northern Peru have discovered the earliest-known evidence of peanut farming dating back an amazing 7600 years.
Thru Portuguese traders, explorers and missionaries the peanut was transported to Africa and Spain and then by ship to “The New World”, where they were planted through the South. Peanuts were an excellent food source aboard ships because they were inexpensive and nutritious.
Peanut Butter was invented around the 1890’s by a doctor and in 1903 George Washington researched and developed over 300 uses of the peanut including soap, shampoo, cheese, mayonnaise, ice cream, medicine, ink, bleach, axle grease and a wonderful snack.
Peanuts arrived in Australia in the 1860’s by Chinese immigrants during the Palmer River gold rush in North Queensland, but only became a commercial crop in the early 20th century.
Today, the two major production areas in Australia are in Queensland – The Burnett and the Atherton Tableland regions. With over 400 growers across Australia producing about 50,000 tonnes of peanuts in a good season, The Atherton Tablelands alone produces about 10,000 tonnes from 60 growers. More than 95% of Australia’s peanut crop is still grown in Queensland.
Atherton Tableland peanuts are one of the best Hi Oleic peanuts grown because of the rich volcanic soil, abundance of water and good farming techniques.
The value of Peanut Oil
Peanut Oil has a number of major advantages over other oils. It withstands higher temperatures without burning or breaking down and has a high flash point (282 degrees Celsius), which makes it ideal for deep frying. Peanut Oil also has neutral flavour and odour and does not absorb odours from other foods. This makes it especially suited for use in pastries, breads, shortening, margarine, mayonnaise and other salad dressings.
Did you know?…Peanuts grow under the ground and are not a nut at all, but a legume!
Links
Cart
