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As we all know, peanuts are actually legumes and not nuts. But they taste and function much more like nuts. They can be cooked quickly like nuts while beans take a long time to cook.

What about their chemical makeup, etc., that is the reason for this?

Bear Bile Farming is Torture
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I don't think this is a result of what you call "chemical make up." It probably seems more nut-like because they are commonly roasted. If you eat a raw peanut, it is certainly more bean-like.

moscafj
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  • But roasting other beans will not have the same effect? – Bear Bile Farming is Torture Jan 16 '22 at 20:11
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    ...bean dependent...ever have a roasted chick pea? ...but, yeah, most beans...not roasted. – moscafj Jan 16 '22 at 20:13
  • I've had spiced roasted green peas and edamame beans as well as chickpeas. I guess given the breadth of textures etc. covered by tree nuts those are fairly nut-like. But there is a difference in that the shells of peanuts aren't much like bean pods – Chris H Jan 16 '22 at 20:25
  • @ChrisH...true...perhaps the shell facilitates the roasting. – moscafj Jan 16 '22 at 22:37
  • I wonder to what extent the difference in the pod comes from the self-burying nature of peanuts. Of course they are dried before sale even if not further processed. I tried growing them a few years ago but the slugs got the plants – Chris H Jan 17 '22 at 11:57