Peanuts... the Mystery

[kennahijja]

First of all, massive late hugs to fleshdress and stuckinsea for the LJ gift prettinesses! *snuggles*

And, also belated, more hugs for assorted b-day wishes! Did not mean to be away from LJ for two entire days.

As Cavin & Hobbes insist, there's weirdness everywhere and I was reminded of this last night upon opening a bag of unsalted peanuts (my favourite, yum!), sporting the perceptive warning: "Product may contain traces of nuts". Um... yes? So, care to clarify for me:

[Poll #945238]

Comments

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday.

Botanically, peanuts are not nuts although some to many (don't know any statistics) people that are allergic to nuts are also allergic to peanuts. Due to processing, peanuts like you ate might contain traces of other nuts, so this is a warning to people allergic to 'nuts without peanuts'

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

Ah, that explains a lot! Though what class of critter do peanuts belong to, if the're not nuts? Only if you happen to know without having to look, of course!

peanuts like you ate might contain traces of other nuts
That's pretty much what I thought was expressed by the strange warning, but after your explanation, the warning stamp doesn't sound too weird any more.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Some sort of legume, so maybe closer to a bean than to a nut, I think.

[snorkackcatcher]

Yeah, that's basically what I thought (although I had to check Wiki to be sure!).

Reminds me of the classic obscure bit of legislation:

"In the nuts (unground) (other than ground-nuts) order, the expression 'nuts' shall have reference to such nuts, other than ground-nuts, as would, but for this amending order, not qualify as nuts (unground) (other than ground-nuts) by reason of their being nuts (unground)."

I trust that clears things up.

[malkador.livejournal.com]

Because they are sooooo yummy and the only kind of nut I'm not allergic to. *sigh* And because I had a really really horrible night after an orgy of peanuts and champagne...

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Puh, poor thing! The only nuts I'm allergic too are hazelnuts (ok, only their skin, not the bare nut, roasted). Peanut and champagne orgy sounds strangely intriguing... d'you think it'd also work for a different alcohol of choice?

[malkador.livejournal.com]

*G* peanuts are really great with champagne, especially when it's a fruity/sweet one. Nice contrast. I don't think I would combine peanuts with other types of alcohol though(although I would repeat the orgy any day, despite the horrible consequences *G*).

Peanuts not really being nuts explaines about my allergy, too.

[mad_maudlin]

A peanut is a legume; I do not know how that is different from a nut, but I'm certain Wikipedia will know. ::reminds self to look this up later::

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Yup, me too :). Was completely misled by name and standard position on market stands, though admittedly visually, there *is* quite a difference...

[fourth_rose]

That's what Wikipedia says:

Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the fruit of the peanut is a woody, indehiscent legume or pod and not a nut.

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday! Hope it was a good one :)

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, hon! Cute icon too :)

[karaontai.livejournal.com]

According to the this web I found :

To What Plant Family Do Peanuts Belong?
Peanuts are a legume (a member of the pea and bean family) Scientific name: Arachis hypogaea

They are beans or peas -- who knew !!! LOL :-)

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

I certainly didn't, although people set me right quickly enough :). Though 'Arachis' raises some very different associations too :)

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Peanuts are a kind of bean.