Peanut Powder

Name: Peanut powder — a fine, light, roasted-peanut powder made by pressing out most of the oil from roasted peanuts, and grinding the rest, often sold as powdered peanut butter. It can be stirred with water to make a lower-fat peanut spread.

Description

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a legume native to South America, whose pods ripen underground, and it was spread by Spanish and Portuguese traders to Africa, Asia and North America, where it became a major food and oil crop.

Peanut powder was developed as a lower-fat, lower-calorie alternative to peanut butter, since up to 85% of the fat is removed, and it became popular in the United States in the 2000s with the brand PB2. It is made from roasted peanuts and is sometimes sweetened or salted, and is sold in tubs to be reconstituted.

It has a strong, roasted peanut flavour, with less richness than peanut butter, and is used in smoothies, baking, sauces, oatmeal and as a coating.

Main nutrition value

Peanut powder keeps most of the protein and fibre of peanuts, with far less fat and fewer calories than peanut butter, and some products have added sugar and salt.

How best to be consumed

Peanut powder is rehydrated, or added dry to foods.

1. Stir 1 tablespoon of powder with a little water until spreadable, for a lower-calorie peanut spread.
2. Blend into smoothies, shakes and overnight oats for peanut flavour and protein.
3. Stir into sauces, soups and baking, or dust over popcorn.
4. Choose unsweetened, unsalted versions, and read the label.
5. Store in a cool, dry place, and keep sealed.

Overconsumption could cause…

Peanut powder is healthy in sensible amounts, and a major allergen.

1. Peanut allergy, one of the most common and potentially severe food allergies, so anyone allergic must avoid peanuts completely and check labels for cross-contact.
2. Mould toxins (aflatoxins) from badly stored or mouldy peanuts, so discard any that smell musty, taste bitter or look discoloured.
3. Added sugar and salt in some flavoured powders.
4. Less satiety than regular peanut butter, since much of the fat is removed.

GroupsPeanutsLegume family

Related foodsBlanched PeanutsBoiled PeanutsGroundnutsPeanut ButterPeanut FlourPeanut Oil

Wikipedia — Peanut butter, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter