Whether crunchy, creamy, chunky, smooth, natural or organic, peanut butter is definitely one of the most favored vegetable-based spreads in America. In fact, the average American eats about 6 pounds of peanuts and peanut butter a year and the spread is found in about 90% of American homes. Economical and nutritious, two tablespoons of peanut butter yield 8 grams of protein and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
So break out that jar of peanut butter and don’t be afraid to indulge as the entire month of November celebrates lovers of peanut butter, one of the most popular and uniquely American foods, especially when it comes to kids. In fact, the United States is the world’s largest peanut butter supplier and consumer.
According to Southern Peanut Growers, representing southeastern peanut farmers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, Americans will celebrate by eating more than 65 million pounds of peanut butter during the month of November alone. That’s a lot of peanut butter!
The same Southern Peanut Growers are responsible for starting the celebration of Peanut Butter Lovers Day, back on November 4, 1990. That particular day signals the day when the first patent for peanut butter was applied for by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg back on November 4, 1895. The day celebration became a month-long celebration when peanut butter celebrated its 100th birthday in 1995. Ever since, peanut butter lovers can lionize and rejoice in enjoying this nutritional spread for a full 30 days each November.
Though Dr. George Washington Carver may not have been the first to patent peanut butter, nevertheless many consider him to be the father of the peanut industry. After all, during his lifetime he discovered over 300 used of peanuts. Not interested in fame or fortune, Dr. Carver only patented three of his peanut inventions. Still, he was a major reason why the peanut became one of the six most produced crops in the United States in the 1940’s.
Presidential peanut cravings
And let’s not forget that two former American Presidents were peanut farmers. Both Jimmy Carter from Georgia and Thomas Jefferson from Virginia were known to sow and harvest ample peanut crops.
According to many historians, President George Washington so loved peanut soup that he ate it everyday.
President Bill Clinton was known to absolutely crave peanut butter and banana sandwiches. (This was also a favorite of Elvis Presley). President Jimmy Carter has many peanut butter pie recipes named in his honor. And my own father, even though he was never president, loved peanut butter and bacon sandwiches for his mountain maneuvers and trail hikes.
It’s all about the numbers
Turns out that there is a difference in peanut butter preferences from coast-to-coast. On the west coast, people prefer chunky while the east coast craves creamy-style. As for men? Why they generally choose chunky while women and children usually like creamy. Who knew? But statistically speaking, over 60% of peanut butter fans opt for creamy over crunchy. Guess that’s where “kid” power takes over as they are the biggest fans of peanut butter.
And lest you think that peanut is a nut, well…think again. Real nuts grow above ground like walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios and are sometimes referred to as “tree nuts.” Peanuts grow underground and are legumes along with beans and peas. They produce edible seeds in their pods and provide some of the most concentrated plant protein. However, from a food perspective, most people think of them as a nut.
Where or where is the peanut butter?
However, the rest of the world just doesn’t quite get it regarding Americans love of that lunch box staple – PB&J (peanut butter & jelly). “In many parts of the world, peanut butter is regarded as an unpalatable American curiosity,” Brian Sternthal, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, explains.
If you should be traveling to France, Italy, England, Spain, Russia, China, Sweden, Czech Republic, Argentina or Denmark, chances are you will find it difficult to find a grocery store where you can buy peanut butter.
Peanut butter in Israel
Though many European countries have yet to acquire a taste for peanut butter, that’s not true in Israel. Word has it that you can even find peanut butter in the grocery stores. After all, peanut butter has been around for awhile in Israel, and there is even a special word. Apparently, this is it: חֶמְאַת בָּטְנִים
(If my research is in error, please let me know).
For those who have been to Israel, then you know about the ubiquitous peanut butter-flavored snack manufactured by the Osem corporation in Holon, Israel. Bamba (Hebrew: בַּמְבָּה) has been marketed since 1964 and makes up about 25% of the Israeli snack market. It’s made from peanut butter-flavored puffed maize containing no cholesterol, preservatives, or food coloring. Unfortunately, it contains high amounts of both fat and salt, though it is certified Kosher by Badatz Jerusalem.
As Bamba is made with peanuts, logic might dictate that adults and children with peanut allergies should forego this popular snack. However, a 2008 research study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that Jewish children in Israel who began eating peanuts earlier in life had allergy levels 10 times lower than a control group of Jewish children in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the trial on 628 babies prone to developing a peanut allergy found that the risk was reduced by over 80% simply by introducing peanut products early in their diet.
Stated another way, because Israeli infants consume extensive amounts of peanut products, peanut allergies are rare. Seems that Israeli children may be on to something when it comes to peanut products. The message? Eat more peanut butter as a baby.
All photos © Karin Leperi, All Rights Reserved
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.