We identified epicatechin-(4 β → 6)-epicatechin-(2 β → O → 7, 4 β → 8)-catechin (EEC) in the skin of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). EEC (a trimer) showed more potent cholesterol micelle-degrading activity than procyanidin A1 (a dimer) did in vitro. The hypercholesterolemia suppressing effect of a