What Are Tree Nuts vs Peanuts? (Ground Nuts)

Yes, there are differences between tree nuts and peanuts and it can be difficult to decipher between the two. Luckily, we are here to help you understand what those differences are and how to look out for them.

Other examples of legumes include:

• beans
• lentils
• peas

For yourself and others, it is important to know the differences between tree nuts and peanuts due to the commonality of nut allergies in the US.

We are going to help you understand why allergies between tree nuts and peanuts can be tricky to navigate.

Which Nut is Not a Tree Nut?

To define which nut isn’t a tree nut, we should define what nuts are tree nuts.

Tree nuts are a specific type of nut that comes from a tree.

This is because a peanuts is a legume. A legume is a seed that grows within a pod.

Oftentimes when we buy peanuts, it is because they are already taken out of the shell. Whenever you have a mix of nuts that’s bought from the store, there is no shell around the peanut.

For example, if you are at a baseball game, you will most likely find peanuts within the “legume typical” shell still surrounding it.

The bottom line is no; they are not the same thing. Often, the reason why many people group the two is because of allergies to tree nuts or peanuts.

Around one-third of people who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts.

Besides, peanuts and tree nuts look very similar. However, they are grown completely differently.

Also, the name “peanut” is very misleading. It is easy to think that a peanut is automatically a tree nut. It is important to remember that tree nuts come from trees and peanuts are grown in the ground. Peanuts use much less water to produce the same amount of most tree nuts.

Yes, it is possible to be allergic to peanuts and not tree nuts.

It is suggested that most people that have a peanut allergy are not necessarily automatically allergic to tree nuts.

There have been studies done where people who have peanut allergies have ingested slight doses of tree nuts and show virtually no reaction to the tree nuts.

It is important to remember that it isn’t necessarily safe to go around trying different nuts if you have a severe allergy to one

There is always a chance that cross-contamination happens between peanuts and tree nuts because many companies produce and package them in the same facility.

For example, some brands create mixes of nuts within the same facility. There is a likelihood of cross-contamination and potential risks for an unexpected allergic reaction. 

This is a common question and the answer to this is that a peanut is not a nut.

I know it may sound odd but it is a legume. Common legumes that may ring a bell are peas, beans, and lentils. 

The peanuts that we consume are below the surface of the ground.

Above ground, the peanut plant looks like an everyday plant. The plant has yellow flowers, leaves and an interesting feature called a peg.

A peg helps peanut plants regenerate and grow beneath the ground. A peg is the beginning step to peanut regeneration.

Although peanuts are not technically a nut, they are very similar in their shape and size to tree nuts. It is easy to get the two confused.

There can be many questions and topics surrounding tree nuts and peanuts.

Here is some additional information regarding tree nuts vs. peanuts.

In a general sense, yes it is possible to be allergic to only tree nuts and peanuts.
Often the symptoms of an allergic reaction to peanuts or tree nuts are very obvious.

Tree nut allergy symptoms can range from vomiting and stomach aches to shortness of breath. Peanut allergy symptoms are slightly different. These symptoms are more common with upper respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, throat tightening, and tingling nose or mouth. 

If you ever experience even slight symptoms when it comes to tree nuts or peanuts, it is important to contact a specialist and doctor. The doctor will most likely do one of two tests, either a skin test or a controlled food challenge test.

It is a common misconception that nuts are unhealthy because of how many calories are found in just a handful of them.

Just because there are many calories, it doesn’t mean it is unhealthy.

However, we now know that peanuts are legumes which are different than tree nuts.

Just because they are different, doesn’t necessarily mean they have different benefits. Dr. Meir Stampfer from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health explains this phenomenon. He explains,  “Botanically, peanuts are not nuts, but nutritionally they are very similar to tree nuts, and other studies have shown their benefits.”

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Tree Nuts Vs. Peanuts, which is More Affordable?

When it comes to access to health benefits and protein-packed nuts, it can put a dent in your wallet.

At the time of writing the price for a pound of peanuts doesn’t get much higher than 29 cents per pound.

Whereas, if we look up the price of the 3 most popular tree nuts, then the price per pound doesn’t go anywhere lower than $3.00 per pound. Overall, tree nuts are going to be the less affordable option when purchasing at your local grocery store. 

Even though peanut and tree nut prices can fluctuate with the changing seasons and world economy, tree nuts are always going to be more expensive.

This allows much broader access to nuts benefits, without breaking the bank.

So when be budget and health consciously aware when you next hit the grocery store for your bag of nuts.