Peanut butter typically comes in smooth or chunky varieties.
Whether you enjoy it with jam or honey, in a sandwich or on a cracker, peanut butter is a versatile snack. Traditionally made from roasted peanuts, peanut butter often includes other ingredients that help fortify it into becoming a healthy snack. It is not unusual to see peanut butter varieties on sale that include Omega-3s as an added health benefit. Although Skippy and Peter Pan are two popular brands, consumers have several options at the grocery store.
Jif
In 1958, The J.M. Smucker Company invented Jif peanut butter. Originally, Jif was only available as Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, but over the years, several other varieties were introduced to consumers. Jif Extra Crunchy became available in 1974, while Simply Jif was released in 1991. Simply Jif contained less sugar and sodium than other types of Jif peanut butter. The brand continued this trend towards healthier peanut butter options when they released Jif Reduced Fat peanut butter shortly after. In 2004, the J.M. Smucker Company began selling Jif With Honey, due to the popularity of peanut butter and honey. In 2009, Jif Natural peanut butter spread debuted, consisting only of five ingredients to satisfy health-conscious consumers. The company launched Jif Omega-3 peanut butter in a similar attempt to address consumers looking to increase their DHA and EPA levels. Jif is also available as a portable snack called Jif To Go.
Kraft
Kraft peanut butter is available in several varieties. Kraft Smooth peanut butter offers a creamy, peanut-rich taste. Kraft Extra Creamy peanut butter contains the same roasted peanut flavor as Kraft Smooth, but tastes even creamier. Kraft Crunchy peanut butter contains chunks of roasted peanuts. Kraft Light Smooth peanut butter contains 25 percent less fat than the original Kraft Smooth peanut butter. It is also available in a crunchy variety, known as Kraft Light Crunchy peanut butter. Health-conscious consumers can also choose from Kraft Unsweetened/Unsalted peanut butter, which contains no additional sugar or salt, and Kraft All Natural peanut butter, made from 100 percent roasted peanuts.
Teddie
Created by the Leavitt Corporation, Teddie Old Fashioned Peanut Butter is the top seller among natural peanut butters in the Northeast U.S. Made from 100 percent fresh roasted peanuts, Teddie Old Fashioned Peanut Butter is available in all natural and organic, smooth and super chunky consistencies. It is also available in unsalted and unsalted super chunky for health-conscious consumers.
Smart Balance
Smart Balance Rich Roast Chunky Peanut butter is all natural, made from deep roasted peanuts. It contains natural sweeteners and is free of hydrogenated oils, trans fats, gluten and lactose. Smart Balance also offers a creamy version of this peanut butter, called Smart Balance Rich Roast Creamy Peanut Butter. Because Smart Balance peanut butters contain flax oil, they are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
Tags: peanut butter, peanut butter, roasted peanuts, Smart Balance, also available, butter contains, Kraft Smooth