Peanut production in China facts for kids
Peanut production in China is a very important part of the country's economy. China grows more peanuts than any other country in the world. These tasty nuts are used for many things, especially to make peanut oil. This oil is a popular ingredient in Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking.
The peanut plant first arrived in China a long time ago. Portuguese traders brought one type of peanut in the 1600s. Later, in the 1800s, American missionaries introduced another kind. Peanut farming really grew in China during the 1980s. This was thanks to a new system that gave farmers more control over their crops. By 2012, China was producing a huge 16.7 million tons of peanuts every year!
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How Peanuts Came to China
Most experts believe that Portuguese traders brought the first peanuts to China. This happened during the Ming Dynasty, a period in Chinese history. These traders also introduced many other new crops to China. Some of these included sweet potatoes, maize (corn), potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and tobacco.
Peanuts first arrived in the Chinese region of Fujian in the early 1500s. By the end of that century, they had spread to Zhenjiang. Later, in the mid-1800s, American missionaries brought a different type of peanut called the Virginia peanut. There are some old findings of peanuts in China that make some people wonder if peanuts were there even earlier, but this idea is still being discussed by experts.
Fun Names for Peanuts
In China, peanuts are known by several interesting names. Each name tells you something special about the nut:
- Changshengguo means "long-life fruit."
- Luohuasheng means "flower-born."
- Didou means "earth bean."
- Xiangdou means "fragrant bean."
- Wuhuaguo means "flowerless fruit."
- Qiansuizi means "thousand-year-old offspring."
The most common names you'll hear are "Huashengmi" or simply "huasheng."
Where Peanuts Grow in China
Peanuts are grown in seven different areas across China. These regions stretch from the cold North China to the wet South China. They also go from the eastern to the western parts of the country. The temperature in these peanut-growing areas usually ranges from -5 to 25 degrees Celsius.
The main areas for growing peanuts are:
- Region I: The "Virginia type north large peanut" region.
- Region II: The "South Spring and autumn peanut area."
- Region III: The "Yangtze spring and summer peanut region."
- Region IV: The "Yungui plateau peanut region."
- Region V: The "Northeast early peanut region."
- Region VI: The "Loess peanut region."
- Region VII: The "Northwest inland peanut region."
About 70% of China's peanuts come from five main provinces. These are Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces.
Peanut production in China has grown a lot since 1961. A big reason for this growth happened in the 1980s. This was when the "Household Responsibility System" started. This system gave farmers more control over their land and crops. It also allowed them to sell their produce in the market. This encouraged farmers to grow more peanuts. Better farming methods also helped increase the amount of peanuts grown per field.
In 2013, China was the world's top peanut producer. They grew 17.02 million tons of peanuts, which was about 37.3% of all peanuts grown worldwide. China had the highest yield, meaning they grew more peanuts per area of land than any other country.
Types of Peanuts in China
China has over 100 different types of peanut cultivars (plant varieties). However, many of these types are quite similar to each other. More than 70% of them share common ancestors like ‘Fuhuasheng’ and ‘Shitouqi’.
Peanuts grown in the southern parts of China are often related to each other. Most of these belong to a group called fastigiata. Peanuts grown in the northern parts are also often related. Most of these are from the hypogaea group.
One type of peanut that China often exports is called ‘Hsuji’. This is a ‘Spanish’ type of peanut. Spanish peanuts are usually smaller and have more oil than other common types. They are often used without their shells. You can find them in candies, as salted snacks, or in peanut butter.
