Snacking has evolved to become a crucial element of our everyday habits.
Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we often find ourselves reaching for something to tide us over until our next meal.
When we’re hungry, we may turn to fast food or grab a quick bite at home.
But sometimes, when we’re busy or don’t have time to cook, we reach for a convenient item like popcorn, chips or crackers.
Peanut butter is another popular snack choice.
It’s easy to eat, and it fills you up without weighing you down.
If you’ve ever eaten peanuts from a can, you understand why these foods are so popular.
But what exactly are peanuts, and how do they get into cans?
Read the article below to learn more about this common snack.
How many peanuts are in a can?
Peanuts are actually legumes, which means that they belong to the pea family.
Like other members of the pea family, peanuts have a hard outer shell and soft inner seeds.
They grow underground and are harvested after several months of growth.
Although peanuts are not native to North America, they were introduced here by Spanish explorers who brought them back to Europe.
By the mid-1800s, peanut production had grown to such a large extent that they started being used as a commodity crop.
Today, most peanuts are grown in the United States, but Brazil is also a major producer.
What is the average size of a peanut?
A single peanut typically weighs between 2 grams (0.07 ounce) and 3 grams (0.09 ounce).
The larger ones tend to be found in bulk bins and are often referred to as “butterballs” because of their round shape.
One cup of roasted peanuts contains approximately 20 peanuts.
How long do peanuts stay fresh in a can?
Peanuts will keep in a sealed container in your pantry for two weeks at room temperature.
You can extend the shelf life even further by storing them in the refrigerator, where they’ll last up to one month.
Once opened, however, you should consume the peanuts within three days.
What is the best way to store peanuts in a can?
You can buy peanuts in a can in either dry form or moistened.
Dry peanuts are packed in a thin layer of oil inside the can.
Moistened peanuts are placed in water before they’re canned.
This helps prevent oxidation, which could cause the nuts to go rancid quickly.
Does the type of can affect how long peanuts stay fresh?
Yes.
Peanuts in a tin are likely to last longer than those in a paperboard can.
Tin cans are made out of metal and are coated with wax to protect against moisture absorption.
Paperboard cans are less expensive and easier to recycle, but they’re prone to corrosion.
Both types of cans are suitable for storing peanuts.
What is the nutritional value of peanuts?
The USDA recommends consuming 1 ounce of peanuts per day as part of a healthy diet.
That’s equivalent to about 25 peanuts.
One serving of peanuts provides 7 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein, 5 percent of the recommended daily allowance of fiber, and 8 percent of the recommended daily allowance of iron.
Are there any health benefits to eating peanuts?
According to the American Heart Association, peanuts contain heart-healthy fats called monounsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fats help lower cholesterol levels and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
Eating peanuts may also improve blood pressure.
Are there any risks associated with eating peanuts?
Although peanuts aren’t known to cause any serious health problems, they can give you a runny nose and sore throat.
Some people also experience allergic reactions, including hives, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
If you suspect that you might be allergic to peanuts, consult your doctor immediately.
What are some creative ways to use peanuts?
Like many other snacks, peanuts are versatile and can be enjoyed in lots of different ways.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Add crushed peanuts to salad dressing for a crunchy topping.
- Make peanut butter sandwiches with whole grain bread.
- Mix chopped peanuts with plain yogurt for a creamy dip.
- Use peanut butter as a spread on toast or bagels.
- Sprinkle chopped peanuts over baked potatoes.
- Top pizza crusts with crushed peanuts.
- Add peanut butter to make a peanut paradise tropical smoothie
How do I know if the peanuts in my can are still fresh?
Peanuts are sold in both dry and moist forms.
The best way to determine whether a can of peanuts is good is to open it and smell the contents.
If the aroma is strong and pleasant, the peanuts should be fine to eat.
If the odor is faint or unpleasant, it’s probably best to discard the entire batch and start anew.
Even if the peanuts look fine, however, it’s always a good idea to check the expiration date printed on the packaging.
Read on to discover more interesting facts about peanuts.
In the United States alone, Americans eat around 100 billion pounds of peanuts each year.
That’s enough to fill over 20 million 55-gallon drums!
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipe: The Best You’ll Ever Taste
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- ¾ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 cup Almond milk or milk of your choice
- 2 tablespoon smooth natural peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons honey or turbinado sugar
- 1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
- Put the Almond milk, Greek yogurt, banana, and peanut butter, in that order, into a blender.
- Add ice cubes and blend in pulse mode to crush them in short bursts. Once they are crushed well, increase the blender’s speed and continue blending for a minute.
- Taste and add honey/sugar according to your desire and blend a bit more, like one minute.
- Turn the blender off and serve in a smoothie glass.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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