HISTORY

The origin
Most likely peanuts are native from what is today Brazilian territory. Although fossilized proof of plants have never been found, there are findings of south american ceramic pieces from 3,500 years
ago, such as jars with the form of a peanut plant and vases decorated with peanut figures. In the tombs of the ancient Incas, discovered in the arid west of the South American coasts, vases with peanuts inside as food offerings for the after life were found.

Peanut and the conquest of the Americas
By the time America was conquered, peanuts already had extended up to Mexico. Eventually the conquerors brought peanuts to Europe, nevertheless, the crops did not prosper away from its original latitude and weather.

Around the World
Later on, merchandisers and explorers introduced it to Africa and Asia, where conditions are more favorable for harvests. For Africans at that time, peanut turned in to a very special plant: a food that doesn't need other than toasting to be prepared, a plant with soul that protects its fruits from birds and other predators, keeping them under the earth, with the purpose of saving it for humans.

Peanuts back to Home…
When Africans slaves came to North America, they brought their revered food. This way, with or without approval, black slaves planted crops all along the south of the American Union.

…And it came to stay.
In the 18th century peanuts became object of study for many naturalists and botanists who recognized that this nut had incredibly good nourishing qualities. By the 19th century peanuts are cultivated commercially and made the most out of its oil, using it as food and as cocoa substitute.

Peanuts come to modern life. Nevertheless, peanuts were not extensively exploited, because cultivation and recollection were rather difficult and slow. Yet, when harvesting machinery is introduced in the 20 th century, it favored these processes, leading peanut consumption to expand. The humble native plant of South America is finally recognized for its whole value and production is rapidly increased to satisfy the demand for toasted peanut, fried and salted, as well as oil, peanut butter and other by products.

Peanuts today. This product soon goes from home kitchens to the food industry and every day is more frequently part of new formulas. Today, many industrial and every day products owe a lot to this nut in their own formulas and processes, thus keeping a millenary friendship between men and peanut.