Peanut Butter

Also known asGroundnut Butter · Peanut Spread

Name: Peanut butter — a spread made from ground, roasted peanuts, sold smooth or crunchy. “Natural” types contain just peanuts and salt, while conventional ones also contain sugar and added oil to stop separation. In the United States, a product sold as peanut butter must contain at least 90% peanuts.

Description

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is native to South America, where it was domesticated thousands of years ago, and is botanically a legume rather than a true nut, because the pods ripen underground. Spanish and Portuguese traders carried it to Africa, Asia and North America, where it became a staple crop.

Peanut pastes were eaten long ago in South America, but modern peanut butter was developed in the late 19th century. The Canadian Marcellus Gilmore Edson patented a peanut paste in 1884, and in the following decades the idea was popularised in the United States, including as a protein food in health sanatoriums. Machines and, later, added stabilisers to stop the oil separating made it a household staple, and it became one of the best-loved sandwich spreads.

Main nutrition value

Peanut butter is a good plant source of protein, healthy unsaturated fat, fibre, vitamin E, niacin and magnesium, and is also energy-dense.

How best to be consumed

Peanut butter is best in small portions, and in its simplest form.

1. Spread on wholegrain toast or apple slices, or stir into porridge and smoothies.
2. Use in satay-style sauces, dressings and noodle dishes.
3. Choose natural peanut butter with peanuts as the main or only ingredient, and little or no added sugar.
4. Stir well if oil has risen to the top, and refrigerate after opening to slow separation.
5. Measure a level tablespoon, which is easy to double without noticing.

Overconsumption could cause…

Peanut butter is nutritious, but it is calorie-dense and a major allergen.

1. Peanut allergy, one of the most common and potentially severe food allergies, so peanuts must be avoided completely by anyone allergic, and labels checked for cross-contact.
2. Weight gain from large servings, since a tablespoon holds around 90 to 100 calories.
3. Added sugar, salt and hydrogenated or palm oils in some conventional brands.
4. Choking in very young children, for whom thick spoonfuls of peanut butter are not suitable.

GroupsNut ButtersPeanutsLegume familyHigh fibreHigh saturated fatRich in magnesiumRich in potassiumRich in seleniumRich in zinc

Made fromRaw Peanuts

Related foodsGroundnutsRoasted PeanutsSalted PeanutsUnsalted PeanutsPeanut FlourBoiled Peanuts

Wikipedia — Peanut butter, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter