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As we all know, peanuts are actually legumes and not nuts. But they taste and function much more like nuts. They can be cooked quickly like nuts while beans take a long time to cook.

What about their chemical makeup, etc., that is the reason for this?

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    peanuts are about 48% oil. That might be the difference you are looking for.
    – Polypipe Wrangler
    Commented Feb 3, 2022 at 10:21

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I don't think this is a result of what you call "chemical make up." It probably seems more nut-like because they are commonly roasted. If you eat a raw peanut, it is certainly more bean-like.

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  • But roasting other beans will not have the same effect?
    – Bear Bile Farming is Torture
    Commented Jan 16, 2022 at 20:11
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    ...bean dependent...ever have a roasted chick pea? ...but, yeah, most beans...not roasted.
    – moscafj
    Commented Jan 16, 2022 at 20:13
  • I've had spiced roasted green peas and edamame beans as well as chickpeas. I guess given the breadth of textures etc. covered by tree nuts those are fairly nut-like. But there is a difference in that the shells of peanuts aren't much like bean pods
    – Chris H
    Commented Jan 16, 2022 at 20:25
  • @ChrisH...true...perhaps the shell facilitates the roasting.
    – moscafj
    Commented Jan 16, 2022 at 22:37
  • I wonder to what extent the difference in the pod comes from the self-burying nature of peanuts. Of course they are dried before sale even if not further processed. I tried growing them a few years ago but the slugs got the plants
    – Chris H
    Commented Jan 17, 2022 at 11:57

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