Taste Test: Peanut Butter by Dana Angelo White in Taste Test, December 8, 2009
To us, peanut butter is important stuff. You can use it in so many dishes — with apples, in a sandwich, in baked goods and more. You want to be sure you’re choosing the healthiest brand. I have my favorite (which is included on this list), but we wanted to see how a few of the most popular brands stacked up.
Peanuts and peanut butter contain healthy fats as well as protein, but some packaged butters have extra extra oils and sweeteners added to the mix. For our 1 to 5 rating (5 being the highest), we considered taste, texture (we tested only smooth varieties) and sugar content for a basic two-tablespoon serving. As for price, all the brands tested ranged from $2.79 to $3.19.
Skippy
Rating: 3
Nutrition Info: 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar
Our Take: I was raised on this stuff, but that was before I learned about added sweeteners and hydrogenated oils! Though it does have a good flavor and creamy consistency, I’m turned off by the added sugar and unhealthy fats.
Teddie
Rating: 4
Nutrition Info: 180 calories, 16 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar
Our Take: This natural peanut butter contains peanuts, flaxseeds and salt. It had a nice peanut flavor but a slightly gritty texture. Like most peanut butters made without extra oils, this brand needed to be mixed well initially to stir in some surface oil (if refrigerated after the first mix, it no longer separates). The flax adds some omega-3 fat but also affects the flavor. If you’re a peanut butter purist, it’s better to get your omega-3s elsewhere. (Here’s an article on better choices for omega 3-rich foods.)
Jif
Rating: 3
Nutrition Info: 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar
Our Take: This one had almost exactly the same ingredients in Skippy — added sugar and hydrogenated oils — but it did have a more peanutty flavor (my guess is they use a different variety of peanuts).
Trader Joe’s
Rating: 5
Nutrition Info: 190 calories, 16 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar
Our Take: This is the peanut butter we keep in my house. The only ingredients are peanuts and salt. It has great flavor, a silky smooth texture and won’t separate once refrigerated. I’ve been recommending it to clients for years and have been able to convert even the most loyal brand-name peanut butter lovers.
Smart Balance
Rating: 3
Nutrition Info: 200 calories, 18 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar
Our Take: I was surprisingly disappointed by this jar. Made with peanuts, flaxseed and palm oil (for texture) it is sweetened with molasses, but has a stale flavor that was, honestly, kind of gross. We also tried the Smart Balance “naturally sweetened” with agave nectar instead of molasses but it had a bitter and unappealing after taste. My husband (a fellow PB lover) asked if we could throw these two jars out pronto).
Tell Us: What’s your favorite peanut butter?
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More posts from Dana Angelo White.
Tags: peanut butter, Taste Test
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good post, I surprisingly enjoyed glossing over it, keep up the good writing.
Teddie is incredible!! However, it is hard to find outside of New England, isn't it??
I completely agree why would you try the flaxseed one?
The reduced fat Jif is a favorite of a friend of mine, but it is MUCH sweeter than I'd expect from peanut butter – so much so that pb&j can get really sweet with most jellies. Be sure to check out the label and see what you think.
its only like 2 grams less in fat
I have found that shaking the jar prior to opening makes mixing the pb so quick and easy.
I agree with you on the Smuckers, esp. about the mixing part
Hi Stephen, I agree Smucker's Natural is the best!!!!
I agree Stephen. Since the nearest Trader Joe's is more than 5 hours away from where I live, I can't try that one, but the ones that I see avalable in my super market are very pedestrian.
I LOVE Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter, especially the crunchy. It is wonderful on a banana, because the sweetness of the banana isn't overpowered by the sweetness in the peanut butter. I too will try Trader Joe's.
Yes…the best!
I'm with you. I have tried them all and I think it is the best of the boughten
okay- here is my supreme weakness, Peter Pan Honey Roasted. I turned my whole family onto it and when it goes on sale- STOCK UP like crazy. Keep one at work, one in my main vehicle(never know) and of course home!
that's my favorite!! i love the honey taste!
Definitely the best tasting. So its not natural……what IS these days! Sometimes I can't stop spooning this stuff! Watch out though, it will put weight on you quick! I think I'll go grab me a spoonful now.
We have to vote for JIF it is always on our shelves and we dare not run out. I haven't had tradder Joe's because it is a long way to a trader Joe's. When I go to my son's in Richmond I will get some and try it
Jif has corn syrup. Don't touch it!
i like jiff chunky
Marantha is carried by other stores other than Whole foods.
I believe you're talking about Maranatha. And it is great. Nothing but organic dry-roasted peanuts and sea salt. I'm not addicted to Jif anymore!
I LOVE this peanut butter- I pick it up at the health food store…I will try the website, thanks Linda!
I add a half cup of Splenda to Smucker's all Natural and for some reason the Splenda acts like a binder to keep it from separating. I've tried others and made my own but always go back to the Smucker's
Haven't tied this….is it better or the same as regular PP PB?
YES! Maranatha is my brand of choise. Yum, yum.
I love Skippy Natural its creamy with no need to stir. The ingredients: roasted peanuts, sugar, palm oil and salt. It has 190 cal. 16 grams of fat and 3 grams of sugar. The only problem is finding it. The major super markets don't carry it and I have ask the store managers if they can stock a few, they do but once they are gone they don't re-stock until asked. But target carries Skippy Natural and they stock the the bigger 26.5 oz jar….love it and at a reasonable price!
That's my favorite too! It's awesome!
I like Skippy
Nope, you have to trek to Trader Joe's. It'll be worth it, though – they have all kinds of cool and different things! And, if you like wine, they have very good, inexpensive ones.
I agree, Naturally More is the best-lower in fat & carbs and higher in fiber & protein. Price is good also. I get it @ Wal Mart in SC.
Jif is the best. Why look elsewhere? If we don't want add ins, why not just eat the peanuts or grind them up ourselves?
I am with you 100% Coeze's is the best there is – expensive and worth it. Nothing compares.
I think you have to be careful about that. As I understand it, there is a mold that can grow on peanuts. When you get peanut butter from a Farmers Market or any other place where it is not a regular food processing company, you don't know whether or not moldy peanuts have been used. Anyone have more information on this?
I like Crazy Richards as well. I only buy Peanut butter made from from peanuts (and perhaps a pinch of salt).
Sheila,
Please send me the website where this can be bought. harts4man@gmail.com
It is so tasty though
I wish I could find this in the NE… everyone raves about this. Right now Teddie Bear Super Crunchy will have to do!
Adams is the best to me-crunchy -never any additives and its been around forever.
The one I grind on the spot at Whole Foods is my very favorite; organic, fresh and nothing added. Best ever!