Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It often contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers. Peanut butter is popular in many countries. The United States is a leading exporter of peanut butter and itself consumes $800 million of peanut butter annually.

Peanut butter is served as a spread on bread, toast, or crackers, and used to make sandwiches (notably the peanut butter and jelly sandwich). It is also used in a number of breakfast dishes and desserts, such as peanut-flavored granola, smoothies, crepes, cookies, brownies, or croissants. It is similar to other nut butters such as cashew butter and almond butter.

Grades of Peanut Butter

1. U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of peanut butter that has a good color, that has a good consistency, that is practically free from defects, that has a good flavor and good aroma, that has uniform dispersion of any added ingredient(s), and that scores not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

2. U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of peanut butter that has a reasonably good color, that has a reasonably good consistency, that is reasonably free from defects, that has a reasonably good flavor and aroma, that has reasonably uniform dispersion of any added ingredient(s), and that scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

3. Substandard is the quality of peanut butter that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.

Although nutritionally similar to nuts, peanuts are actually a legume and unlike tree nuts, they grow underground. Some cultures refer to them as a groundnut for this reason. Delicious as a sandwich spread, peanut butter can also be made into sauces, dips, and used to top foods like oatmeal.

Counseling Corner

Well known for being sources of protein, iron, folate, and magnesium, peanut butter also provides zinc, which you know is especially important for growth and development during pregnancy, lactation and infancy. 

Potentially allergenic foods, like peanuts, should be introduced when other complementary foods are introduced to an infant’s diet.

Introducing peanut-containing foods in the first year reduces the risk that an infant will develop a food allergy to peanuts. If an infant has severe eczema, egg allergy, or both (conditions that increase the risk of peanut allergy), age-appropriate, peanut-containing foods should be introduced into the diet as early as age 4 to 6 months. This will reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy.

Tips & Ideas to Share

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a favorite among many, but there are so many more ways to enjoy peanut butter. Easy ways to use PB include mixing into oatmeal, smoothies, or simply spread on fruit such as apples.

Tips for Using and Storing

Smooth/Creamy or Crunchy/Chunky: This is usually a personal preference but keep in mind that chunky or crunchy peanut butter is a choking hazard for children under 4 years.

Peanut butter has a thick texture and can be a choking hazard for young children.

Storage: Many peanut butter brands can be stored at room temperature in the pantry but be sure to check the label to see if there are storage recommendations.

Separation: Some peanut butters may separate from the oil. To manage this, gently open and use a kitchen knife or spatula to carefully mix.

Ideas to Try: 

• Add into a bowl of oatmeal.  

• Dip apple slices in peanut butter.

• Add banana slices to a toasted PB&J.

• Spread on a rice cake or cracker.

• Add to a smoothie.

• Dip celery or carrots in peanut butter.

• Mix with yogurt.

• Top a stir fry with peanut butter sauce.

• Use peanut butter in place of tahini when making hummus.