The Best Peanut Butter

Buying Guide

Whether you’re the kind of person who likes to slather it on toast, mix it into a smoothie or just eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon, you know peanut butter is an important staple to have in your home. High in fiber and protein and a host of nutrients, peanut butter nourishes the body and provides you with plenty of energy to fuel your day.

There are many different types of peanut butter available, so how do you know which one to get? For many people, the decision starts with the ultimate question: smooth or crunchy? Smooth peanut butter, as the name suggests, has been blended until smooth so there are no chunks of peanuts floating around in there. It has a creamy and luxurious mouth feel. Crunchy peanut butter, on the other hand, has much more of a bite because there are small chunks of peanuts mixed in with smooth peanut butter.

Checking the ingredients list is important when buying peanut butter because this is a situation when less is more. Some people prefer peanut butter with just one or two ingredients because this means there aren’t any preservatives added. Some people like to have some added sugar to the peanut butter for a sweeter taste. Either way, ensure that no starchy fillers have been added to the peanut butter and there are as few ingredients as possible. If you want to ensure your peanut butter has healthy fats, opt for a variety that doesn’t contain palm oil or uses a healthier oil like coconut oil as a substitute.

• If you frequently have breakfast on the go and like to enjoy some peanut butter to start your day, look for small individual servings of peanut butter that you can take with you. These are often squeezable packages so no utensils are necessary: simply tear open the pack and use your fingers to push out the peanut butter on to your toast.
• If you want a more complex taste, try peanut butter that is made with dark roasted peanuts. This is a change from regular peanut butter as dark roasting the peanuts makes them taste stronger and more nutty.
• In some varieties of peanut butter, especially those made from just peanuts, the oil will rise to the top of the jar. This peanut butter is fine to use – all you have to do is use a spoon and mix the oil back in with the solids to create a velvety texture. You can also flip the jar upside down for a few minutes to encourage the oil to mix back in with the solids.
• Peanut butter that has been made with just nuts can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge or cupboard for about six months. Peanut butter that has added oil can last longer, especially if unopened, for about two years. Once a jar has been opened, it should be used within three months.
• Peanut butter can be a choking hazard for small children because it is so thick. When giving it to young kids, be sure to spread out the peanut butter in a very thin layer to limit the risk of choking, and give them something to drink along with it so they can easily wash it down.