Juxian, Zhou tianchi
Writing Assignment 5
July 19,2012
                                                                Peanut

          Peanut was found for first time about 7,600 years ago, in Peru. First time for cultivation spread in South America by Spanish conquistadors. In the 17th century the peanut was introduced to China by Portuguese traders, then it became popular in many Chinese dishes. Nowadays, China is the world's largest peanut producer that is nearly half of overall world production.
         
          First, peanuts for food. Peanuts are popular snacks that include salted peanuts,peanut butter, peanut brittle, and shelled nuts. In mixed nuts, peanuts are often a major ingredient,because peanuts are cheaper than Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, and so on. Peanut oil is often used in cooking, because it has a mild flavor and a relatively high smoke point. The more important point is it considered more healthy than saturated oils.

          Second, peanuts for medicines. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, peanut has four benefits about lower cholesterol, delay human aging, promotion of children's bone development , and prevention of cancer. Peanut has a lot of Calcium and Zinc that can promote children 's bone ,and brain development. Peanut oil is often used to lower cholesterol,because peanut has Linoleic Acid ,It can break down cholesterol. In China ,peanut's other name is Changsheng Guo that mean is giving long life nut. It can delay human aging because peanut has Resveratrol. Scientists discovered through research often eat peanut that can keep delay human aging.

          Third, peanuts for other uses. Peanut has used variety of industrial . Paint, varnish, lubricating oil, leather dressings, furniture polish, and insecticides. It is a useful fuel ,maybe one day when we drive car the fuel is from peanut .Peanut shell is used in the manufacture of plastic, wallboard, abrasives, fuel, and cellulose .

          Peanut has a long history .Nowadays, Peanuts have too many uses. They can be eaten, used in recipes, made oils, used in medicines, textile materials, peanut butter, and as well as many other uses.