What is the edible part of a peanut referred to as?

The edible part of a peanut is referred to as the fruit or cotyledons. In botanical terms, peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are classified as legumes, not true nuts. After flowering, the ovary of the peanut plant develops a peg that grows downward into the soil, where the pods contain the seeds. These seeds are the actual edible parts of what we commonly call peanuts.

Within the pod, the seeds are surrounded by the seed coat and are composed primarily of two cotyledons, which are the thickened part of the seed that store carbohydrates and nutrients. When consumed, it is these cotyledons that provide the nutty flavor and nutritional value associated with peanuts. Thus, emphasizing the terminology, "fruit" typically refers to the reproductive structure, while "cotyledons" specifically identifies the part of the seed that humans eat.

The other terms may refer to aspects of the peanut plant but do not accurately describe the edible component in this context. "Seed" can imply the whole structure including inedible parts, while "nut" is misleading as peanuts are not true nuts. "Kernel," while sometimes used colloquially, does not capture the botanical context accurately. Therefore, the correct identification as the fruit