(North Mankato, MN): It’s National Peanut Butter Day! According to those who know these things, Peanut butter is a staple in over 90% of American households. The average person consumes more than six pounds of peanut products each year. Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men go for the chunky variety.
George Bayle, a St. Louis snack food maker, started making peanut butter in the 1890s. For many years, manufacturers struggled with the oil separating from the grainy solids of the peanut butter. In 1923, Heinz became the first company to homogenize the peanuts into the spreadable butter we know and love today. Before long, peanut butter was a classic American food.
My mother always said that peanut butter was one of her favorite foods. During the Great Depression, peanut butter was provided in large tubs to poor families. Her family qualified. Her brothers and sisters disliked the peanut butter intensely, but my mother came to love it. She could eat it by the spoonful!
Did you know that it takes 550 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter? Peanuts are cholesterol-free and an excellent source of protein. In fact, it’s the high protein content that causes peanut butter to stick to the roof of your mouth.
To celebrate National Peanut Butter Day, bake some peanut butter cookies, spread some tasty peanut butter on toast, or enjoy a spoonful right out of the jar!