Jeongwol Daeboreum, a traditional Korean holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar calendar’s first month, marks the year’s first full moon. Nowadays, various traditional food customs are observed to pray for health and well-being. One of the most well-known customs is “bureom cracking,” which involves breaking hard-shelled nuts like peanuts. The sound of the shell cracking is believed to scare away evil spirits and prevent skin infections for the rest of the year. According to the Dongguk Sesigi, a historical record from the Joseon Dynasty, eating bureom on the morning of Jeongwol Daeboreum was thought to bring good health for the entire year.
Peanuts have long been called Nakhwaseng in Korean, meaning “a fruit born from a fallen flower.” Contrary to the common phrase “peanuts for passing time,” they are actually a superfood that should be consumed deliberately. Peanuts promote blood circulation, relieve fatigue, and support heart health. They are packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Peanuts’ B vitamins and lecithin enhance brain function and nerve cell activity. However, storing peanuts at room temperature for too long can lead to the formation of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance. To prevent this, it is best to store peanuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
So, are peanuts nuts? Nuts are defined as fruits that contain edible seeds inside a hard shell. Peanuts are often called ground nuts, leading to the common misconception that they must be nuts. Their hard shell, nutty flavor, and crunchy texture, similar to almonds and walnuts, also make them easy to mistake for nuts.
However, peanuts are actually legumes, just like their name suggests. Unlike tree-grown nuts, they grow underground. Once pollinated, the fruit develops beneath the soil. Like peas and other legumes, peanuts have a flexible shell protecting their seeds. Native to South America, peanuts are believed to have been introduced to Korea from China around 1780. At one point, they were considered a famine relief crop, helping to combat hunger alongside sweet potatoes and potatoes.
Peanuts have a chameleon-like appeal—while they are scientifically classified as legumes, they are also considered nutritionally equivalent to nuts.