Nuts are widely used around the world in a number of ways that people can’t even imagine. From desserts to confectionery, from body butter to even eatable butter, nuts are used in a variety of things. Peanuts and cashew are known to be very nutrition-filled and rich in a lot of aspects.
Peanut vs Cashew
The main difference between Peanut and Cashew is that peanuts are small bean-shaped nuts that are red, dark brown, and beige in color. On the other hand, cashews are kidney-shaped nuts that are cream, white, and beige in color. These nuts are very rich in nutrients and immune to the body.
Peanuts are very versatile. They are bean-shaped and dark brown, beige, and red in color. Peanuts are very rich in nutrients and fats. A lot of products are made using peanuts like peanut oil, peanut butter, body lotions, creams and are even used extensively in sweets and desserts.
Cashews are termed luxurious food items. They are very expensive and grow in coastal areas. Cashews are kidney-shaped and are white, beige, and cream-colored. Just like peanuts, cashews are rich in protein and fat and have a water content of 5.5%.
Comparison Table Between Peanut and Cashew
| Parameters of Comparison | Peanut | Cashew |
| Classification | These come from the Arachis Genus family of plants. | These come from the Anacardium Genus family of plants. |
| Appearance | These are dark brown, red, or beige colored. | They are beige and white in color. |
| Water content | The water content of peanuts is 6.5% | The water content of cashew is 5.5% |
| Calories | There are 567 calories per 100 gms of peanuts. | There are 553 calories per 100 grams of cashew. |
| Fats and Proteins | They are richer in both. | They are less rich in both. |
What is Peanut?
Peanuts or groundnuts are widely available and used majorly on a daily basis. These are little bean-shaped nuts. Its out shell is brown, resembling a sort of muddy color, while the nuts have a reddish-brown coating and beige-colored insides. It is a matter of the fact that many food products that we consume daily include peanuts in one way or the other. Starting from the roots, it is known that peanuts belong to the plant family known as the Arachis Genus. Also, the scientific name of peanuts is Arachis hypogaea. Since ancient times, peanuts have been consumed in a roasted form, and with time humans learned how to extract oil from it. Groundnut oil is widely used for food preparation, salad dressing, and even to light up a fire.
Apart from this, a peanut is consumed in a number of different ways that include salads, peanut butter, protein bars, protein shakes, confectionery, sweets, and even dips. Peanuts are also known to be used in skincare products like body lotion and body butter as it gives the skin proper moisture. In terms of cost, peanuts are very cheap and are available at every time of the year at a low cost. Some people buy it with shells, whereas others buy with the shell removed. It can be eaten raw, roasted, and cooked. Peanuts have 567 calories in hundred grams of their content and around 6.7% water content per nut.
What is Cashew?
Cashews are the most loved nuts in the world, according to many surveys. These very closely resemble the shape of kidneys or ears. Cashews have an uneven surface and are mostly white or creamish. These belong to the family of plants called the Anacardium Genus. A very nutrient-rich food item, cashews are used in several ways, whether it is in food or skincare.
Cashews can be mainly found in sweets like Indian milk sweets, biscuits, cookies, pastries, cakes, custard, and milkshakes. It even has a very renowned product made just by cashews that is cashew butter and is consumed on a worldly basis. There are also many people who are allergic to nuts and therefore must take care of consuming them in minor quantities or avoiding them completely depending upon the severity of the allergy.
Cashews are very expensive, especially when compared to peanuts. These are also included in energy bars, and protein shakes due to their high nutritional value. 100-gram cashews contain as much as 553 calories. They are also not left behind in terms of water content and have about 5.5% of water content. There is no denying the fact that cashews are slightly less rich in protein and fats, and so people who are trying to build muscle often choose peanut-containing protein shakes instead of cashews.
Main Differences Between Peanut and Cashew
- Peanuts are from the plant family known as Arachis Genus, while cashews are from the plant family known as Anacardium Genus.
- Peanuts are bean-shaped and red, dark brown, and beige. On the other hand, cashews are kidney-shaped and cream, beige or white in color.
- These nuts also consist of water. The percentage of water in peanuts is 6.5, whereas the percentage of water in cashews is 5.5.
- These are also very rich in calories. Peanuts have 567 calories in 100 grams, whereas cashews have 553 calories in 100 grams.
- Peanuts are known to be much richer in proteins as well as fats as compared to cashews.
Conclusion
Peanuts and cashews are rich in nutrients and are very good for our bodies. Nutritionists suggest that everyone must include them in their daily diet in order to stay fit and avoid health hazards. These nuts are so versatile that they can be consumed as eatables in a number of ways. A lot of variety of sweets are made with peanuts and cashews, which are consumed on special occasions.
Apart from direct consumption, they are also consumed in the form of oils and kinds of butter. Some skin care products are also known to include peanuts and cashews in their contents due to their beneficial oils, which help in softening the skin and ultimately keeping it healthy.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01447.x
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161589007007687