Peanuts are native to tropical South America, with their likely origin in regions including Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. The genus Arachis, to which peanuts belong, is native to areas east of the Andes mountains. Archaeological evidence suggests peanuts were cultivated in Peru as far back as 7,600 years ago, and they were used by ancient cultures such as the Incas and Moche
. The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) arose from a hybrid of two wild species native to this region, and domestication led to the varieties we know today. From this primary center of origin in South America, peanut cultivation spread to other parts of the Americas and eventually worldwide through European exploration and trade
. In summary, peanuts are native to South America, particularly the area around Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.
