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Spiced peanuts are a very popular snack, especially in China, where they are often eaten as a side dish or as a snack. The method of making spiced peanuts is simple, mainly by frying or roasting peanuts with five-spice powder, salt and other seasonings. Here is a basic method of making spiced peanuts:

**Material**:

- Raw peanuts: 500g

- Five spice powder: appropriate amount

- Salt: appropriate amount

- Water: appropriate amount

**step**:

1. **Wash the peanuts**: First, soak the peanuts in clean water for a while, then rub them several times with your hands to remove dirt and impurities on the surface.

2. **Blanching**: Put the cleaned peanuts into the pot and add enough water to cover the peanuts. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes to remove some of the raw taste of the peanuts.

3. **Drain**: Take out the blanched peanuts, rinse them with cold water, and then drain.

4. **Seasoning**: Add appropriate amount of five-spice powder and salt to the peanuts, stir evenly so that every peanut is coated with seasoning.

5. **Frying/baking**:

- **Stir-fry**: Pour the seasoned peanuts into a hot pan and stir-fry over medium-low heat until the peanuts become dry, slightly golden on the surface, and emit a fragrant aroma.

- **Baking**: Spread the seasoned peanuts on a baking tray, preheat the oven to about 150°C, place the baking tray in the middle layer of the oven, and bake for about 20-30 minutes, turning the peanuts over several times to ensure that the peanuts are evenly heated, until the peanuts become dry, the surface is slightly golden, and the fragrance is emitted.

6. **Cooling**: Place the fried or roasted spiced peanuts in a ventilated place to cool. After they are completely cooled, they will taste more crispy.

**Note**:

- Pay attention to the heat when frying to avoid the peanuts from burning.

- Check the peanuts regularly while roasting to avoid over roasting which may cause them to become bitter.

- The amount of five-spice powder can be adjusted according to personal taste, or other seasonings such as chili powder, pepper powder, etc. can be added according to preference.

Spiced peanuts are easy to make and have a unique flavor, making them a great choice for family gatherings or drinking with friends. However, since peanuts are high in fat, it is recommended to eat them in moderation.

To determine whether the spiced peanuts are fully cooked, you can use the following methods:

1. **Observe the appearance**: The surface of cooked spiced peanuts is usually uniformly golden yellow, without the white or light yellow spots of raw peanuts. If the peanuts are uneven in color or have obvious white parts, they may not be fully cooked.

2. **Listen to the sound**: Gently bite a peanut open. If you hear a crisp "crackling" sound, it means the peanut is cooked and dry. If the sound is muffled or the inside of the peanut is still moist, you may need to continue cooking.

3. **Feel the hardness**: Peanuts that are fully cooked should have a certain degree of hardness, but not too hard. You can pinch the peanuts with your hands. If they feel hard and elastic, they are usually fully cooked. If the peanuts are too soft, they may not be fully cooked.

4. Taste: Tasting directly is the most direct method. Well-cooked spiced peanuts should have a strong aroma and a moderate salty taste, and a crispy texture. If the taste is bland or astringent, it may not be fully cooked.

5. **Use a thermometer**: If you have a food thermometer, insert it into the center of the peanut to test the temperature. For roasted peanuts, they are usually considered cooked when the internal temperature reaches about 160°F (71°C).

When frying or roasting, be careful not to overcook the peanuts, as overcooking will cause them to become bitter or burnt. At the same time, pay attention to the control of the heat to avoid the situation where the outside is burnt and the inside is raw due to excessive heat.

The phenomenon of cracks in spiced peanuts after cooling is mainly caused by the evaporation of water and changes in oil in the peanuts during heating. The following is a detailed explanation:

1. **Water evaporation**: During the frying or roasting process of spiced peanuts, the free and bound water inside the peanuts will gradually evaporate due to the heat. As the water content decreases, the cell structure inside the peanuts begins to shrink. This shrinkage process will continue when the peanuts are removed from the heat source and begin to cool.

2. **Temperature changes**: When peanuts are fried or roasted at high temperatures, they experience rapid temperature changes both inside and outside. When the peanuts are removed from the hot environment and begin to cool, the temperature of the outside drops faster than the inside, causing the outside to shrink faster than the inside.

3. **Oil solidification**: Peanuts are rich in oil, which is liquid at high temperatures, but will gradually solidify as the temperature drops. The volume reduction during the solidification process will also affect the structure of the peanuts.

4. **Uneven shrinkage inside and outside**: Due to the above reasons, the speed of shrinkage inside and outside of the peanuts during cooling is inconsistent, resulting in increased internal tension. When this tension exceeds the bearing capacity of the peanut shell, cracks will form on the shell to release the internal pressure.

This phenomenon is more common in nut foods, especially during the frying or roasting process. If the heat is not evenly distributed or the cooling process is not properly managed, cracks are more likely to appear. Cracks do not affect the safety of spiced peanuts. On the contrary, they are sometimes considered a sign that the peanuts are fried just right. However, if there are too many cracks, it may make the peanuts more susceptible to moisture or oxidation during storage.

Drying spiced peanuts is an important step to ensure their crispy taste and extend their shelf life. Here are some special tips to help you get better results when drying spiced peanuts:

1. **Choose the right time**: It is best to dry the spiced peanuts on a clear, sunny day. Avoid drying them in humid or rainy weather, as this may cause the peanuts to absorb moisture, affecting the taste and shelf life.

2. **Spread evenly**: Spread the fried or roasted spiced peanuts evenly on a clean drying net or a wide tray, making sure that each peanut can be exposed to air to facilitate moisture evaporation.

3. **Avoid overlapping**: Do not overlap the peanuts to avoid local moisture accumulation, resulting in uneven drying.

4. **Turn over regularly**: During the drying process, the peanuts need to be turned over regularly so that both the upper and lower sides can be evenly dried and the evaporation of water can be accelerated. Generally, turn over once every certain period of time (for example, half an hour to an hour).

5. **Insect and dust prevention**: When drying peanuts, you can use gauze or clean cloth to cover the peanuts to prevent contamination by insects and dust.

6. **Avoid strong sunlight**: Although sunlight helps to evaporate water, long-term strong sunlight may cause the surface of the peanuts to dry too quickly, and the internal moisture cannot be discharged in time, affecting the taste. You can choose to dry the peanuts in the morning or evening when the sunlight is softer.

7. **Monitor humidity**: Pay attention to the humidity of the environment during the drying process. If the humidity is high, it may take longer to dry, or consider using a fan to assist in air drying.

8. **Store at the right time**: When the peanuts are dried to the point where they feel dry, not damp, and crispy, they can be stored. When storing, make sure the container is dry and well sealed to prevent the peanuts from absorbing moisture again.

With the above tips, you can effectively dry spiced peanuts to ensure their taste and quality. Remember to keep them clean during the drying and storage process to ensure food safety.

The drying time of spiced peanuts depends on many factors, including the initial moisture content of the peanuts, the temperature and humidity of the drying environment, and the thickness of the peanuts. Generally speaking, drying spiced peanuts may take a few days to a week, but under ideal conditions, this time can be shortened.

Here are some factors that affect drying time:

1. **Initial moisture content**: If the spiced peanuts have a higher moisture content after frying or roasting, it will take longer to dry.

2. **Environmental conditions**: Drying peanuts in a warm, dry, well-ventilated environment will cause moisture to evaporate faster, so the drying time will be shorter. On the contrary, in a humid or rainy environment, the drying time will be longer.

3. **Drying method**: If the peanuts are spread thinly and evenly during drying, it is conducive to air circulation and water evaporation, and the drying time will be relatively short. If they are stacked or spread unevenly, the drying time will increase accordingly.

4. **Turning frequency**: Turning the peanuts regularly can promote even evaporation of moisture, thereby shortening the drying time.

5. **Auxiliary equipment**: If auxiliary equipment such as fans or dryers are used during the drying process, it can speed up the evaporation of moisture and reduce the drying time.

Without specific environmental parameters, it is difficult to give an exact drying time. Generally, you need to pay close attention to the dryness of the peanuts when drying them. When the peanuts feel dry, not wet, and have a crisp taste, the drying is considered complete. If you are not sure, you can take a few peanuts to try and confirm whether the taste meets the requirements.

In order to ensure the quality of spiced peanuts, it is recommended to regularly check the status of the peanuts during the drying process and adjust the drying strategy according to actual conditions.