Taste Test Tuesday: For Peanut Butter Lovers
There are people who like peanut butter and there are people who LOVE peanut butter. Over the years I've learned that people can get very passionate about their peanut butter.
Certain brands seem to have their unique characteristics and fans... so while one person may be a "JIF man" another person may be a "Skippy woman". Me? I prefer my peanut butter au naturelle... as close to ground peanuts as possible. I think I developed this preference when I lived in Berkeley (grad school) and would go to this natural foods market that had these peanut butter machines that looked just like the type that grind coffee beans. No kidding you would flip the switch and with your plastic tub positioned directly under the square metal opening... the ground peanuts would protrude out from the machine in a brown, log-like mass. Thinking back, this could probably look pretty gross to innocent bystanders not passionate about peanut butter... only because it resembles something else we all don't like to think about. If you know what I mean.
But I digress... I actually wanted to talk about this new peanut butter called SMART BALANCE OMEGA NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER. I'm all about omega-3s, so it got my attention. I'm guessing the Smart Balance Margarine Company makes it. There's .5 gram (500 milligrams) of omega-3s per tablespoon. This is coming from the added ingredient, flax oil.
The ingredients are simple:
Peanuts
Natural oil blend (flaxseed and palm fruit oils)
Salt
Molasses
The Nutritional analysis is (per 2 tablespoons):
200 calories, 17 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 12 g monounsaturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat, 6 g carbohydrate (1 g sugar), 110 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein
1000 milligrams omega-3s
1300 milligrams omega-6s
What's good about it?
They don't use any refined sugar! The sweetener used is molasses and they don't use much as evidenced by the 1 gram of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving. And there is a much better ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s than your average peanut butter (peanuts have a pretty high amount of omega-6s). And because they don't add any partially hydrogenated oils, there isn't any trans fat to be found. The saturated fat, however, compares to the amount in a reduced fat peanut butter (store brand) that I sometimes buy.
How does it taste?
It tastes great to me. More like natural peanut butter, probably because there isn't a lot of sweetener added to it. Nutritionally speaking I would probably be better off stirring some ground flaxseed into my peanut butter, that way I'm getting the plant omega-3s in a balance with other helpful components in flaxseed (plant estrogen and fiber). That might not go over as well with the general population though.
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Peanut Butter Banana Shake, Bad Foods That Are Raally Good
Technorati Tags: peanutbutter, healthfood, omega3, omega6, flax
Certain brands seem to have their unique characteristics and fans... so while one person may be a "JIF man" another person may be a "Skippy woman". Me? I prefer my peanut butter au naturelle... as close to ground peanuts as possible. I think I developed this preference when I lived in Berkeley (grad school) and would go to this natural foods market that had these peanut butter machines that looked just like the type that grind coffee beans. No kidding you would flip the switch and with your plastic tub positioned directly under the square metal opening... the ground peanuts would protrude out from the machine in a brown, log-like mass. Thinking back, this could probably look pretty gross to innocent bystanders not passionate about peanut butter... only because it resembles something else we all don't like to think about. If you know what I mean.
But I digress... I actually wanted to talk about this new peanut butter called SMART BALANCE OMEGA NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER. I'm all about omega-3s, so it got my attention. I'm guessing the Smart Balance Margarine Company makes it. There's .5 gram (500 milligrams) of omega-3s per tablespoon. This is coming from the added ingredient, flax oil.
The ingredients are simple:
Peanuts
Natural oil blend (flaxseed and palm fruit oils)
Salt
Molasses
The Nutritional analysis is (per 2 tablespoons):
200 calories, 17 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 12 g monounsaturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat, 6 g carbohydrate (1 g sugar), 110 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein
1000 milligrams omega-3s
1300 milligrams omega-6s
What's good about it?
They don't use any refined sugar! The sweetener used is molasses and they don't use much as evidenced by the 1 gram of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving. And there is a much better ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s than your average peanut butter (peanuts have a pretty high amount of omega-6s). And because they don't add any partially hydrogenated oils, there isn't any trans fat to be found. The saturated fat, however, compares to the amount in a reduced fat peanut butter (store brand) that I sometimes buy.
How does it taste?
It tastes great to me. More like natural peanut butter, probably because there isn't a lot of sweetener added to it. Nutritionally speaking I would probably be better off stirring some ground flaxseed into my peanut butter, that way I'm getting the plant omega-3s in a balance with other helpful components in flaxseed (plant estrogen and fiber). That might not go over as well with the general population though.
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Peanut Butter Banana Shake, Bad Foods That Are Raally Good
Technorati Tags: peanutbutter, healthfood, omega3, omega6, flax
70 Comments:
While I prefer my peanut butter to not have added sweeteners, like you do... I am intrigued at the thought of peanut butter with omega 3's. Perhaps this is something my hubby would like, since I haven't gotten him to switch to the natural kinds. Interesting find!
Weuse this peanut butter and really enjoy it since most are sweet and that is a no in our house. Spouse is diabetic and he can enjoy this without guilt.
I have not seen this new product but have used Laura Scudders or Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter for ages. I like the true peanut taste but I am wary of the sanitation of the peanut butter machines at the health food store.
Meximom
I like the natural peanut butters for the lack of trans fats. However, some taste really yucky. I found that SHop Rite natural peanut butter (yellow lid) has nothing but peanuts and salt AND..it tastes really good and is half the price of others!
Might try this Smart Balance PB, already use the margarine..
I enjoy natural food stuffs. I rarely eat tinned stuff. I prepare my own peanut buter. No molasses added, no preservatives, no sugars added, only salt to taste. Try it. You will never want to buy peanut butter prepared by someone else.
By the way,I am diabetic I grew in Africa where everything is natural.
The best peanut butter i have found is certified organic, made with organic dry roasted peanuts and sea salt. it has 100 calories per serving, 0 g. trans fat, only 55 g sodium and 3 grams total carbohydrate..with i gram sugar. also it has 4 grams of protein. and best of all, it tastes great. "NUT'N BETTER". (However, i get my omega-3 and omega-6 from organic flax seed oil.)
Want a different taste? Try p-butter mixed with carob! There used to be a place we could get that, but the place disappeared.
Grind your own peanuts in the food processor. Tastes great and you can add or not add anything. I add wheat germ to mine as I eat it. Makes it a little more nutty flavored. You can even add a drop ot two of extra virgin olive oil if it is too dry. Whatever your preference and tastes are.
Sounds good...but is the ingredient palm fruit oil good for us? Thanks for the tip.
I am a diabetic and a PB addict. I have found the Smart Balance brand one of the most delicious PBs around bar - none. The taste and consistency are the best!
I had to give up peanut butter after actually developing an allergy to them as an (go figure). Actually, all nuts are tabu to me now.. migraine triggers, but I digress. So, I turned to 'soynut butter.' In blid taste tests on friends and their kiddies, all went very well. It's healthy, good for you and tastes great!
I'm in Southern California. The best 'soynut butters' (creamy or crunchy) can be found at Trader Joe's.
I bought the SmartBalance PB - haven't tried it yet. When I opened the PB it has oils standing on it, haven't had that with other PB brands. Is this typical of SmartBalance? I do want to make this my PB of choice since the Omega3 is always a great addition.
I had a coupon so I tried Smart Balance peanut butter and, although it had plenty of oil on top when I opened it, it became extremely dry within a few days. I felt like I was chipping concrete by the time I reached the bottom. Guess I'll stick (no pun intended) with Skippy Reduced Fat.
I've eat the chunky type because I like the peanut texture the chunks add. I've been using their margarine for several years and find their products excellent. Another reason for the chunky, although not really important, it has 190 calories/serving. Only 10 less than the smooth, but whos counting?
About the oil on top...
It's just a natural separation that takes place when they don't add partially hydrogenated type fats that help bind things together.
I just take a sturdy knife and stir it back in. I also then keep the jar of PB in the refrigerator. This helps decrease the liklihood of any alfatoxin mold forming.
I am a huge fan of natural peanut butter and have loved almost every brand - BUT the one with the Omega 3's. I swear it tasted "fishy". No kidding. Some funny tase to it. Had to throw it out.
There should be no "fishy" taste to this SB pb b/c they use flax not fish oil to up the omega-3s.
I have always loved old fashion peanut butter. I was raised on it. I find peanut butters like Jiff or Skippy to sweet. I tend to like to add my sweetness when I want it sweet. I usually eat by the spoonful. Or spread it on sliced apples.
Donna A.
We really love the Smart Balance PB - we stir in a little Splenda because it could use just a little sweetness. I think I will start putting it in the frige from now on after reading the comments. Also, the sturdy knife is good to make sure the oil is distributed to the bottom. It's very good PB - I like it more than Smucker's which I used to buy all the time.
I wish more PB makers would offer lower-salt or salt-free versions, as those on sodium-restricted diets would benefit.
A simple "fix" for oil on the top of the peanut butter jar...before you open it, turn the jar upside down and place in your refrigerator over night. I find this does a great job of mixing the oil back in; no more separation.
Trader Joe's has great unsweetened peanut butter and, once mixed, seems to stay that way...
I enjoyed the blurbs about peanut butter. I want to say just a word about flax seed. My nutrition guru is Andrew Weil and according to him, flax seed must be crushed to release the omega fatty acids so if you use whole flax seed you would have to bite each seed to get the good stuff. He recommends that flax seed be freshly ground when added to food. I use my coffee grinder for this. He also says that the oils are very fragile and will deteriorate easily so should be purchased in small quantities, used quickly, and kept in the refridgerator.
We have one of those fancy-schmancy Vita Mix Blenders and we make our own!!! Natural is GOOOOOODDDD!!!!!
l live in Ontario Canada and searched all the peanut butters in the largest store and found all to contain hydronated oil except one which was presidents choice, and taste great.
Smart Balance peanut butter absolutely tastes fish-y to me -- so much so that I re-checked the label! Perhaps it has to do with the exposure of the flax oil to air, it seems to increase once the jar has been opened. I kow flax oil has a limited shelf life, so perhaps it goes rancid quickly...? Regardless, it's not worth it to me... back to Smuckers Natural!
Kroger makes a natural crunchy peanutbutter-just peanuts and salt. My husband doesn't travel without it.
To the blogger who was concerned about the flaxseed needing to be ground...I wrote all about this in my book, THE FLAX COOKBOOK (which I believe was the first book on the market to focus on ground flaxseed). Everything you mention about flax needing to be ground and stored in the freezer is correct. This peanut butter doesn't have whole flax though...you may have misunderstood.
Thanks for the comment!
Elaine Magee
Publix Supermarket deli grinds fresh PB. I love it. Try some on a whole grain toasted bagel. Anonymous
The palm fruit oil in Peanut Butter does not sound very healthy. Palm oil is one of the 'worst' oils we could consume!
my favourite peanut butter is smucker's natural creamy. Great taste, will not use any other
I don't know about the omegas, but Simply Jif has fewer calories and less salt for those of us watching sodium. I like the idea of making my own peanut butter without additives of any kind.
I have switched to the Smart Balance peanut butter and I love it. The taste and texture are great. Also use the Smart Balance butter. I am a believer in this product. Hope to see more products from S/B.
I like the Smart Balance Peanut Butter. I had similar issues with the oil separation and hardness. Thanks for the tips. My biggest complaint is that Smart Balance costs 3 times as much as low fat Jiff and Skippy. I'll have to try the Trader Joe's peanut butter. I've heard good things about it.
Was surprised to hear about the oil and hardness. I have had absolutely NO trouble with oil or hardness. It stays creamy and smooth all the time. Takes about a two months to finish a bottle.
for the person who wants no salt. smuckers all natural, 100 pct peanuts, no salt added, its the best. i even take out a little of the oil but you need a little to smooth it out. i dont know why you wud want sugar in your pb.
I also have a concern with the inclusion of "palm fruit oil". As a member of Women's Health Initiative Research Study, we learned that "palm oil" was one of the undesirable oils. If that ingredient is listed on anything I stay away from it.
Tried it...and then my wife tried it...we neither one could even eat more than a spoonful.
It simply doesn't taste remotely "right"...
I hope they figure that little problem out, because the idea is good. It's the same issue with their margarine/butter substitute.
I LOVE PETER PAN BRAND PEANUT BUTTER. IT IS NOT SWEET LIKE JIF AND SKIPPY, AND TASTES GREAT.
My wife and I have been eating smuckers crunchy peanut butter for a year. She uses only one mixing beater in her hand held electric mixer to mix the peanut butter. Be sure you get a good hold of the jar or it will get a way from you. You need to mix in all the oil or it will dry up. Once it has been opened , you have to keep it in the refrigerator.
I just checked my jar of Skippy PB. One serving, 2 tbsp, has 3 g of sugar. My usual snack is 4 crackers with about 1 tbsp PB on each. This would be 6 g of sugar. I am diabetic, but this amount of sugar would not concern me.
I use Smucker's natural and love it. I roll it around the kitchen counter top for a day or two before opening, then in the cool box.
Chuck D.
I buy unsalted peanuts and put them in my processor and grind it smooth . Not the whole jar at a time. just partially and yes it is a clean up job after it but sure worth it. Good home made peanut butter
why don't food companies realize that some people cannot or should not have salt in their foods. I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER, BUT BUY ONLY LAURA SCUDDERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN UNSALTED VERSION. FOOD PROCESSORS: TAKE NOTE, NO SALT PLEASE.
I am surprised more people didn't mention the palm fruit oil. That sounds like the oil that is worst for your cholesterol.
While a fan of mixing flax seed oil with my process ground cashew butter, I purchase my flax seed oil from a store (SUNHARVEST FARMS) that stores it and other selflife sensitive products in a refrigerated section.
Taste wise, I must admit I have certain weakness for PETER PAN Honey Roasted crunchy peanut butter. I have no illusion as to it's nutritional value comparitivly
I just like it.Not as much as the cashew butter, NEVER.
Trader Joes has smooth or crunchy. Salted or unsalted. The best way to handle the oil is turn the jar upside down when you purchase the product. leave it that way in the shopping bag and when you get home it will have migrated to the bottom and make it easier to mix.
The flavor is great because it is only peanuts.
I , like the other poster use Simply Jif. I am a diabetic and it works well for me. Making your own PB sounds great but I'm not disciplined enough for that. I would soon run out of PB And a day without PB is like a day without sunshine as far as I'm concerned.
I love peanuts and I grind my own coffee so I thought what the heck, I'll add some peanuts to the coffee mill to enhance the coffee flavor. What was I thinking! All it did was add peanut butter to the ground coffee. What a mess.
Try blending avocado with the raw unsalted peanuts. Add a bit of brown sugar or honey. YUM, YUM.
WE HAVE BEEN USING SB LIGHT FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND NOW THEIR PB. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT TASTING FUNNY OR GETTING DRIED OUT.
I STIR IT WHEN I OPEN IT, SET IT ON THE COUNTER, AND IT IS SMOOTH AND DELICIOUS RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM.
I DO WITH THEY WOULD MAKE A "NO SALT ADDED" VERSION, THOUGH, AS I HAVE TO WATCH MY SODIUM. AS FAR AS PALM OIL GOES, ALL I CAN SAY, IS THAT MY CHOLESTEROL IS 137, AND MY HUSBAND'S IS 162. WE HAVE BOTH HAD HIGH CHOLESTEROL, AND HE TAKES MEDS FOR HIS, BUT THE PB IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO EITHER OF OURS.
Can't possibly be better than Smucker's Natural peanut butter, which has nothing but roated peanuts and salt. The oil contained within it is peanut oil derived from the process of grinding the peanuts. The addition of any oil, Palm or otherwise, indicates that the naturally occuring peanut oil is being removed and replaced by the Palm kernel oil. Tropical oils, such as palm oil, are known to cause higher levels of cholesterol occurence. While I'll continue to use the Smart Balance regular spread , (tastes great, excellent as a substitute for butter when cooking, etc.) I'll stick to Smucker's Natural PB, either smooth or crunchy. Good blog!
On the internet I read that some
folks had trouble finding Smart
Balance Peanut Butter. Please
contact me at lrsepulvado@yahoo.com
if that is your predicament.
Thanks. Best wishes.
Hello! There is a huge difference between Palm FRUIT oil and Palm kernal Oil. Im including a site by the American Palm Oil Council that explains how Palm Fruit Oil is very beneficial. http://www.americanpalmoil.com/faq.html
You should really go for "Smuckers Natural PB" (ingredients: peanuts and salt only) or my favorite is "President's Choice Blue Menu Old Fashioned Peanut Butter" (ingredients: JUST PEANUTS), so no added salt or sugar or oil or molasses or anything. And I think it tastes pretty great!
I have just discoverd that I have very high cholesterol,have not even had Dr. to call back to give meds. for problem, just thought I would visit web sites so I could get a jump start on eating right. By what I have read on other medical web sites about cholesterol, the (3) fats that are very bad for you have been in all products, do you just eat raw or fresh vegs and fruits, lean meat and thats about all???? O yes I forgot OATMEAL and FIBER. I'll guess I will have to wait for Dr. to give meds and give a diet, I'm confussed about this WHOLE Diet thing?????
I was a devout Skippy fan but a few years back they went from 2 grams to 3 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving. I noticed the taste difference immediately and called them to see if they still made the original but alas they didn't just add to their product line but discontinued one in favor of the other. I explained that the 2 grams of sugar was just right and that they had a unique product until they added the extra sugar and now their product was no different then most of the other brands. They said their change was because they took a poll and most people liked peanut butter sweeter. I never liked pb and jelly and always liked the old Skippy because I could taste the salt over the hint of sweetness. The company basically told me so sad too bad. Now I buy Clover Valley brand at the Dollar General store for half the price of Skippy and it has the same basic ingredients as Skippy and tastes every bit as good. Just another example of if it ain't broke don't fix it. I will try the Smart Balance.
Elaine Magee RD, report to the mixing room! Elaine Magee RD, report to the mixing room!
How is it that you didn't (as far as I could tell) weigh in on the palm fruit oil controvery. Good or bad? Is it being used to replace the natural oil of the peanuts? Speak up, Elaine! Don't get stuck to the roof of my mind.
Bobbo201
I thought it tasted pretty bad too.
MM
www.HowILost80Lbs.com
I didnt realize Laura Scudder's peanut butter requires refrigeration after opening. Does anyone know why? I'm new to this brand. I was recently very ill and have just realized the peanut butter may have been the reason. Any input is appreciated.
Absolutely tasted like fish to me. I have no idea why - I realize there's no fish oil in it. I had a friend try it just to confirm, and she agreed that it tasted totally fishy. I had to throw it out. I thought it was just horrible!
I use smart balance peanut butter all of the time and never had a problem with fishiness or hardness. It sounds like a bad batch. Or perhaps the store does not sell enough and it sat on the shelf.
I came here looking for info on genetically modified peanuts. Does anyone know why there is a patent pending on Smart Balance? The label says it uses "special peanuts" and that makes me VERY suspicious. Food manufacturers do not care about our health. They only care about their own bottom dollar.
There IS a bad batch of Smart Balance Omega Peanut Butter out there. I gave them a call and they said they overcooked the flax oil in a batch and that caused the fishy taste.
the only reason i even searched this product was because i just opened my first jar, had a spoonful and swore that it tasted fishy. now that others have confirmed i am not imagining this, i can't eat it. too bad for smart balance if what neal says is true and they actually did over cook the flax seed oil. i doubt i'll buy it again. and it could have been a great product.
I am about halfway through my first jar of Smart Balance and I am a convert. I love it on a piece of whole grain bread, with a banana sliced on top...yummy and so filling. I have no issues with oil separation, nor dryness. I think it has a great flavor straight off of the spoon also. I am just now exporing the whole concept of other nut butters, though and plan to try almond and cashew butter...
I found this on smartbalance.com, on there FAQ segment of there website:
Why do you use palm fruit oil? Isn't palm oil unheathy?There is a major difference between the oil from the fruit of the palm tree and the nut kernel that contains palm kernel oil. Palm fruit oil contains far fewer saturates and less myristic and lauric acid. Another plant source of saturated fat is coconut oil. This, too, is much higher in saturates and myristic and lauric acid than palm fruit oil. Our nutrition scientists chose palm fruit to replace hydrogenated oils as the best and lowest source of natural saturates. The palmitic acid in palm fruit oil is also an excellent aid in sustaining HDL "good" cholesterol when balanced properly with polyunsaturated fatty acids.
HOPE THIS HELPS-
Regarding the palm oil concern, I too follow Dr. Andrew Weil's advice and according to him, palm oil from the fruit of the African oil palm tree is monounsaturated like olive and avocado oil. This palm oil is red with carotenoid pigments, which are healthy antioxidants. That's not the case with the very unhealthy palm kernel oil (from the kernel of the palm tree) which should be avoided.
i had a friend buy that Smart Balance omega 3 peanut butter. She let me try it and I tasted fish, now thats all she thinks about when she eats it. I will let her know that they possibly overcooked a batch...wonder if a person could get a refund. It is pretty pricey to disregard a first bad experience and hope for the best on you next.
Yuk, yuk, double-yuk...okay, I thought I would try this for the added benefit of the Omega 3, but if you are accustomed to the sweetened peanut butters like myself, then you definitely want to forego this stuff. I will be going back to Skippy Natural and try to eat more fish instead!
It's delicious. My brother and I have been eating the Smart Balance for a few years now. He eats it every day and his cholesterol is great. Sometimes I taste Jif or Skippy when I make them for my children and they taste much too sweet for me now. I've never tasted any fish oil taste. I like the chunky version on sliced apples or whole grain bread.
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