Groundnut, Goober or Monkey Nut

Peanuts do not grow on trees like walnuts or pecans. In fact, they are not nuts. They are legumes which means they grow in the same manner as peas. The leaves are above the ground and the legumes that we know as a peanut are underground. Over the years, this legume has been called by a variety of names.

Groundnut

In the early 1700s, peanuts were considered food for pigs. They were referred to as groundnuts. It wasn’t until 1860 that the consumption of this humble legume increased. As time went by, they began being eaten as a snack. They also became a popular food sold at ballgames and circuses. The term groundnut was the original term for peanut, but it is rarely used today to reference a peanut.

Monkey Nuts

Monkey nut is a term used in the UK. They use the term to describe a raw peanut in the shell. Visitors to zoos often feed them to the monkeys to enjoy watching them get the nut out of the shell. It’s also likely the term monkey nut became popular because it’s a common food monkeys eat in their natural habitat.

Goobers

The peanut was brought to the United States by African slaves. The term goober comes from the Kongo word, nguba. Before the 20th the peanut was not a popular food item. The peanut was called by many names such as ground pea, goobers, earthnut, and pindar. Goober is the only name that has continued being used. Some people use the term goobers to describe a raw or roasted peanut. In the south that term often refers to a peanut that has been boiled in salty water until they shell is soggy. The boiling process gives the goobers more of a legume flavor than a nutty flavor.

Different Ways to Eat a Peanut

There are various ways to gain the health benefits this legume provides. When eaten raw they have an earthy flavor. Raw is not the typical way to enjoy a peanut. Roasted and salted is the way many people like them. Southerners have a tradition of pouring a bag of peanuts into a soda and enjoying the unique flavor.