Peanut oil (huā shēng yóu) is a common cooking oil extracted from roasted or raw peanuts. The term literally breaks down as 'flower' (huā), 'life/birth' (shēng), and 'oil' (yóu); historically, 'huā shēng' refers to the peanut plant’s unique growth habit—its flowers bloom above ground but its fruit develops underground, hence the name 'peanut' (literally 'flower-born'). In modern usage, it carries no floral connotation—it simply means 'peanut oil'.

This oil is widely used in Chinese home cooking and restaurants for stir-frying, deep-frying, and making dressings due to its high smoke point and mild, nutty aroma. It's especially popular in northern and northeastern China, where peanuts are abundantly grown. Unlike some other oils, huā shēng yóu is rarely consumed raw in large quantities and is almost always used as a functional cooking medium rather than a finishing oil.