Why Peanuts are Great.

You might think I'm crazy for writing about peanuts. But I think that some things need more credit for being what they are. Peanuts are one of those things. I remember that a few years ago, I went on a walk with my sister and the whole time we talked about peanuts. We came up with quite a few points about why they are great. And I also remember thinking about what a wonderful essay topic this could be. So now, after three years, I have finally done it. I have written an essay on why peanuts are great. I hope you enjoy it!        

           Has it ever occurred to you that peanuts are the absolute best snack to eat? (Unless you are allergic to them, in which case you probably are not interested in reading this) There are several factors that make peanuts superior to all other nuts (actually they are legumes, but we will ignore this fact for now). Peanuts, also known as "Arachis hypogaea", have a shell that can be easily cracked and protects them, plus it is environmentally friendly. 

        First of all, peanuts have a shell that is easily cracked with your thumb. No other nut I know of has this amazing quality. All of them either require a nut cracker or a brick...have you ever tried opening hazelnuts? 

        Another great thing about the shell is that it protects the inside. Imagine sharing a bag of chips or gummy bears with a friend, and every time you reach in that bag to get some you don't just touch the chip you want. You touch all the surrounding ones too, and so does anybody else who reaches into the bag. That is not very hygienic, since you don't know what they touched last. Now you see why shells are great, they protect the actual nut that is on the inside. Even if you find a peanut on the street (with the shell still intact), you are probably safe to eat it. 

       If you happen to be walking around outside while consuming these amazing things, simply throw the shell into the nearest bush while nobody is watching. The shell will not harm the environment, unlike those plastic bags candy comes in. In fact, it will enhance it. Just think of those little bugs that will stumble upon the shell and can feast of it. The bugs will then poop it out and it goes back to the earth as wonderful fertilizer! All this was possible because you decided to eat a peanut. 

        Most peanuts also contain two pieces within the shell, which makes them perfect for sharing with you best friend or cat. If you have one of those odd ones that only have on nut inside, you will notice that even that nut can be split down the middle, so you can still share it (you won't get a lot though). Peanuts do not need to be shared often because most people buy or have more than one. This brings us to the next point- peanuts are cheap! 

      You can buy one kilogram of peanuts for two to three dollars! Warning: I think this only applies to peanuts that are not already cracked or have some fancy spicing on them. One kilogram of peanuts! Imagine what you can do with all of those.You can eat them raw, bake them into cookies or cake and then eat them, or you can build edible art.  So next time you have some spare change in your pocket, get some of those suckers. (Yes, I just referred to peanuts as suckers, but I do need to use a different word once in a while)

       Peanuts are also used to make several different spreads and variety of flavours/textures. If you grow tired of eating the actual nut, try eating peanut butter for example. It can be used a replacement for butter and tastes great with jam. I have also had peanut salad dressing before, which tastes quite good. Ice cream can be bought with peanut flavour or actual peanuts in it. And now, before I forget, peanuts are in Reeses! In my opinion, Reeses are the best thing that was ever invented in this world. Combining chocolate and peanut paste together is heaven. So if you feel like having something sweet that still tastes like peanuts, Reeses are the answer.

       Not only are peanuts fun to eat and taste great, they also have a good nutritional value. Niacin is in peanuts, which stimulates blood flow and brain health. So, it is a good idea to eat them before a test or exam because they could possibly make you smarter. Peanuts are also a good source of vitamin E, therefore making them good antioxidants. The coenzyme Q 10 is also found in the nut, and for those of you that don't know what that is good for...one word- heart. There are many other nutritional benefits to peanuts, including them being naturally free of trans- fats and sodium.

       As you can see, peanuts are amazing. They are quite the multi-talented legume. Not only do they taste great, they can also be made into different substances and have a great nutritional value. The shells are not annoying (they are quite the opposite) and can be bought cheaply. I don't know what else to say to make you enthusiastic for this "nut". Please just go ahead and have some and think about what makes these suckers (sorry, I had to) so unique.

Information for the nutritional value section was found on Wikipedia.