Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): El cacahuate es un ingrediente económico que aporta un sabor único a varias comidas. - Peanut is an inexpensive ingredient that adds a unique flavor to various dishes.

Cacahuate means peanut. In Latin American Spanish, especially in Mexico, cacahuate is the common term. In some other regions, you might also hear maní used instead to refer to the same ingredient.

What does the adjective económico imply in this sentence?

Here, económico indicates that the ingredient is affordable or inexpensive. It highlights that peanuts are budget-friendly, suggesting they can be used as a cost-effective option in various dishes without compromising quality.

How does the relative clause que aporta un sabor único a varias comidas function in this sentence?

The clause que aporta un sabor único a varias comidas is a relative clause modifying ingrediente económico. It provides extra information about the ingredient by explaining what it contributes—in this case, a unique flavor to several different dishes.

Why is the preposition a used before varias comidas after the verb aportar?

The preposition a introduces the indirect object of the verb aportar. It shows that the unique flavor is being contributed to various dishes. This construction clarifies the destination or impact of the action performed by the ingredient.

Why is cacahuate written in the singular form even though it represents a common food item?

In Spanish, food items are often referred to in the singular when discussing them as a general category or ingredient. Using el cacahuate treats it as a type of food (peanut) rather than as multiple individual items, which is common when describing ingredients in a recipe.