The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L), a dicotyledonous angiosperm belonging to the order Rosale and family Leguminosae, grows widely in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The area under peanut cultivation in Pakistan is about 40, 000 hectares. The chemical composition of peanut kernels, their protein, vitamin and mineral content, and the fatty acid composition of peanut oil are described. Toxicity in peanuts, effect of heat treatment and their overall nutritive value and suitability as human food are also discussed.