[Peanuts]

In Japan, “落花生 (peanuts)” is the seasonal word for autumn, and they are in season just now. In some areas, you can find raw peanuts. Peanuts are popular all over the world. I like peanuts in “kaki-pea (rice crackers and peanuts)” the best. In midwinter, I remember my grandmother eating peanuts over the kotatsu, and putting the shells in a container folded from newspaper advertising paper.

The well-known “kaki-pea” is a peanut snack consisting of peanuts added to a rice cracker flavored with chili peppers and soy sauce. There are various theories as to why peanuts were added. One theory is that the peanuts were first mixed with rice crackers to create a Japanese flavor when nuts were served at the Imperial Hotel's bar. The other theory is that it began when the wife of the founder of Kameda Seika had the idea of eating peanuts and rice crackers together at a direct sales market. The background behind the creation of these foods is interesting.

Although called “peanuts” in English, they are actually a type of legume, not a nut. It is said to have originated in the Andes region of South America and was introduced to Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) via East Asia. Peanuts are a member of the legume family, but unlike other legumes, peanuts are unique in the way their beans (seeds) are formed. The name “落花生” comes from the fact that after flowering, a vine grows up into the ground and produces fruit underground.

The peanut flower is yellow and shaped like a butterfly spreading its wings, or a “butterfly-shaped flower.” The flower shape may be easy to imagine, as the flower of the “suitopy,” another member of the legume family, has a similar shape. The language of the flower is “good friends,” because two peas are arranged side by side in a pod.

It used to be said that “eating peanuts causes rashes,” but this is a superstition and has no scientific basis. Rather, peanuts have been shown to keep blood vessels healthy and reduce mortality. Although half of peanuts are high in fat and calories, most of it is unsaturated fatty acids, so there is no need to worry about cholesterol. They are also rich in protein and vitamins, and the astringent skin contains high levels of polyphenols. However, once you start eating them, you will not be able to stop, so the appropriate amount is no more than 30 pieces, which is considered to be about the calories of a serving of rice per day.

About 80% of Japan's peanuts are produced in Chiba Prefecture. The other day, fresh peanuts were on sale at a local supermarket, so I made boiled peanuts. The peanuts were so large and sweet that I couldn't stop eating them.

"落花生喰ひつつ読むや罪と罰 (Crime and Punishment while eating peanuts)" by Kyoshi Takahama

Please be careful not to eat too many peanuts, but enjoy them deliciously.

Shirokiya Shikkiten's Teshiozara
https://www.shokunin.com/en/shirokiya/teshio.html

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/柿の種
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ラッカセイ
https://www.kawagoeya.com/?post_type=knowledge
https://suzuichi-s.co.jp/s/346/?srsltid=AfmBOooP0P5foexEBuPhKYswcdVhs3QcC_n86YYpEvydjnggzzQp2JPy