Sheqi Peanuts

Sheqi Peanuts

　　Peanuts, also known as groundnuts, are native to South America. They are cultivated in over 100 countries worldwide, with the highest prevalence in Asia, followed by Africa. According to Chinese literature on peanuts, their cultivation history in China predates that of Europe by more than 100 years. Peanuts are often referred to as "plant meat" due to their oil content of up to 50% and excellent quality, with a fragrant aroma. In addition to being consumed as food, they are also used in industries such as dyeing and papermaking. Peanuts are also a traditional Chinese medicinal ingredient, beneficial for conditions such as malnutrition, spleen and stomach disorders, coughs with phlegm, and insufficient breast milk. The cultivation and management of peanuts also require relatively advanced technical skills.

　　Peanuts, also known as peanut seeds (commonly called peanut kernels), are also referred to as longevity fruit, long fruit, fan dou, fig, earth fruit, or Tangren dou.

　　Peanuts are nourishing and beneficial to health, contributing to longevity, which is why they are commonly called "longevity fruit" among the people. Along with soybeans, they are hailed as "plant meat" or "meat among vegetables." The nutritional value of peanuts is higher than that of staple grains and can rival that of animal-based foods such as eggs, milk, and meat. They are rich in protein and fat, especially high in unsaturated fatty acids, making them highly suitable for producing various nutritious foods.

　　There is now also a type of colored peanut, also known as multicolored peanuts, multi-color peanuts, or rainbow peanuts.

　　Colored peanuts result from color variations in the seed coat of ordinary peanuts, leading to multiple hues. Colored peanuts are mainly divided into several varieties, including selenium-rich black peanuts, white jade peanuts, and pearl peanuts. Based on the color of the seed coat, they can be further categorized into black, purple-black, white, purplish-red, red-and-white, and multicolored grain types. Rainbow peanuts come in colors such as black, snow white, white with red patterns, black with yellow patterns, and yellow with black patterns. The vines they grow on are no different from those of ordinary peanuts, except that the leaves are slightly larger. Based on kernel color, they can be classified into two-kernel black, four-kernel black, two-kernel multicolor, four-kernel multicolor, two-kernel patterned, and two-kernel white types.