When was the peanut introduced to China?
The peanut is a nut with abundant yields and widespread consumption in our country, also known as the groundnut, longevity fruit, earth bean, etc. It is an annual herbaceous plant of the order Rosales, family Fabaceae, and is best planted in warm climates with moderate rainfall in sandy soil areas. It is mainly distributed in Brazil, China, Egypt and other places. Let us now take a look at when peanuts entered China!
When did peanuts enter China?
Peanuts may have been introduced to our country during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1530). In 1492, Columbus discovered the Americas, which drew Europeans' attention to this so-called “New World”. After successfully colonizing the Americas, the Spanish went on in the late 16th century to establish colonies in the Philippines in South Asia. Some American crops began to be introduced to the Philippines, then spread from the Philippines to various parts of the South Seas, and further spread to China.
Where are the peanut-producing areas in our country?
The peanut is one of China's three major oil crops, and its planting areas are very extensive; it is grown throughout the country except in the three provinces of Tibet, Qinghai and Ningxia. The peanut-producing areas for domestic consumption and export are mainly concentrated in the North China Plain and the coastal areas of the Bohai Sea. Among these, exports to Europe are mainly from Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei and other provinces. Because these provinces have suitable climate and soil conditions, the peanuts they produce are of high quality and good taste, and enjoy a good reputation internationally, with their total peanut exports accounting for more than 85% of the national total.
What are the variety types of peanuts?
1. Common type: The common-type peanut has a thick pod shell, smooth veins, a pod resembling a cocoon, no keel, and seeds that are mostly oval. It is the main variety cultivated in our country.
2. Wasp-waist type: The wasp-waist-type peanut has a thin pod shell, prominent veins, a keel, and more than three seeds, occasionally two, with a dull, lusterless seed coat color.
3. Multi-seed type: The multi-seed-type peanut has more seeds in the pod, arranged in a bead-like string, a thick pod shell, smooth veins, and seeds whose seed coats are mostly red, occasionally white.
4. Pearl type: The pearl-type peanut has a thin pod shell and small pods, generally with two seeds, and a high kernel yield. The seeds are plump, mostly peach-shaped, and the seed coats are mostly white.