Peanuts reached North America during the 1600's. Since they were a cheap source of food, the Europeans used them to feed captured slaves being transported from Africa to North America. The peanut is one of the most nutritious foods on the market today. Although the protein in peanuts is deficient in sulphur containing amino acids, the percentage of protein in peanuts is higher than in most meats. The remainder of the peanut is carbohydrate, water, fiber, and ash.
Peanuts are rich in B-complex vitamins, especially thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.
Besides being an incredibly widespread and nutritious plant, the peanut has a remarkable number of economic uses. In the United States the peanut crop is used differently than in the rest of the world. Not only are the seeds of the peanut of use, but also every other part of the plant. The shells are high in cellulose fiber and can be used as boiler fuel or in producing particle board along with many other uses. Of all the people who have researched peanuts, no one has done as much to promote them as George Washington Carver.