Peanut Butter: A Journey Through Time, Nutrition, and Delectable Delights

Originating from simple peanuts and crafted with skilled hands, peanut butter has transformed into a rich, flavorful delicacy that captivates the palates of many. More than just a snack, it’s a nutritional treasure trove, offering myriad health benefits to its consumers. Join us at Đạt Foods to delve deeper into this nourishing food.

What is peanut butter?

Peanut butter is a type of plant-based butter processed primarily from roasted, ground peanuts, often mixed with sugar, salt, and sometimes other ingredients. The mixture has a rich, creamy flavor and is used as a spread on bread, crackers, or incorporated into cooking.

Origin

The history of this dish traces back to various cultures, but there are two main hypotheses regarding its origins:
The first hypothesis originates from the Americas: Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting that the Aztecs in Mexico processed a food from roasted and ground peanuts in the 16th century, which could be considered a precursor to modern peanut butter. However, the Incas in South America also seem to have processed a similar food from peanuts.
The second hypothesis suggests that the product’s origins may stem from Africa. Some theories propose that peanut butter was introduced to the Americas by African traders, who brought peanuts from their homeland. Due to the lack of specific archaeological evidence, the exact origin of this mixture remains uncertain to this day. Nevertheless, both hypotheses from the Americas and Africa have certain supporting evidence. 
Peanut butter began to be produced and consumed in the United States in the 18th century. Its popularity increased with the invention of food grinding machines in the 19th century. By the 20th century, this dish became a common food worldwide. These days, this smooth spread is a beloved food across the globe and is used in various cuisines. (Source wikipedia)

The popularity of peanut butter around the world and in the United States

Production process

The processing method may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. Each brand often incorporates additional ingredients or additives to create their unique product. However, the overall production process typically consists of the following 7 basic steps. 
Step 1: Harvesting and pre-processing  
Peanuts are harvested under specific conditions: the shells turn brown, the plant stems wither, the leaves transition from green to yellow and gradually fall off; the nuts are plump, full, and uniformly sized. After harvesting, the nuts are transported to processing facilities for drying to remove excess moisture. Once the nuts reach the desired dryness, the hard outer shells are removed, along with any roughness, and impurities such as branches, leaves, soil, and dust or damaged nuts are discarded.
Step 2: Roasting the nuts
After preprocessing, the peanuts are roasted at moderate temperatures to cook them and develop their distinctive flavor. The roasting process is carefully controlled to ensure that the final product is evenly cooked and flavorful without being burnt or developing a bitter taste.
Step 3: Cooling and removing the inner husk
Once roasted, the nuts are cooled quickly to retain their crispness and nutty aroma. When completely cooled, the inner husk will detach from the kernels more easily, so it is common to let the peanuts cool completely before removing the inner husk using a shelling machine.
Step 4: Grind the peanuts
Once the inner husks are removed, the nuts are placed in a specialized grinder to be ground into a fine powder. The final product is a thick, perfectly smooth mixture.
Step 5: Adding additives
Additives such as salt, sugar, vegetable oil, etc., are added to the mixture to create the desired flavor and smoothness. The amount of additives used may vary depending on the recipe of each brand.
Step 6: Homogenize
The peanut butter mixture is homogenized to achieve smoothness and uniformity. This process helps re-grind any large peanut particles. There are three common homogenization methods in production:
•   High-pressure homogenization: This method utilizes high pressure to force the mixture through a small valve, breaking down the peanut particles into smaller ones.
• Homogenization by blending machine: This method uses a high-speed blending machine to mix the peanut butter mixture, breaking down large particles into smaller ones. 
• Homogenization by mile stones to create smooth, soft consistent butter
Step 7: Packaging and Preservation
After processing, the peanut butter mixture is packaged into boxes, jars, or airtight bags. It is stored in a dry, cool place to ensure its quality.
You can refer to the detailed peanut butter production process here Dat Butter – Make The Dream Become True

Ingredients and features

Ingredients

The product is primarily made from roasted and ground peanuts. Depending on the type of butter, additional ingredients may include:
•  Salt acts as a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweet and fatty taste of the butter, creating a harmonious and savory flavor. Salt also has the ability to absorb moisture, helping to limit the growth of bacteria and mold in the mixture, thereby extending its shelf life.
• Sugar adds sweetness and improves the texture of the butter, making the peanut butter mixture smoother and easier to spread. 
• Vegetable oil, similar to sugar, helps in achieving a smoother, less dry butter and minimizes separation. Common types of vegetable oils such as coconut oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil may be added depending on each brand’s formula. 
• Stabilizers are added to prevent separation of the butter. Common stabilizers include guar gum, lecithin, and sodium stearoyl lactylate. 
• Antioxidants prevent the mixture from spoiling, such as vitamin E and BHA. 
However, with organic butter, the ingredients do not include sugar. The sweetness in the butter comes from honey, a healthy ingredient for users. In addition, no oil is added to the mixture during the production process to ensure that the flavor of the dish is natural and best for human health.

The only disadvantage of organic butter is that it is easily separated due to the absence of stabilizers such as guar gum, lecithin, and sodium stearoyl lactylate. Do not worry too much about this separation phenomenon, butter separation is a good sign to help you recognize that this is a completely organic, natural and healthy jar of butter.
In short, organic butter ingredients only include roasted and ground peanuts, a little salt and with or without natural sweeteners like honey – that’s it! Dat Foods understands the importance of prioritizing health, which is why our organic peanut butter is made from all-natural ingredients with no preservatives or chemicals.

Features

The peanut butter mixture has a smooth, creamy texture so it’s easy to spread. In addition, on the market today there is also a mixture of crushed nut butter to create crunchiness. Nut butter still retains the delicious, rich flavor typical of roasted peanuts, although the flavor may vary depending on the type.
Pure peanut butter, made solely from ground roasted peanuts without any added ingredients like salt, sugar, or vegetable oil, offers the natural nutty flavor of peanuts. This can sometimes come across as slightly bitter to some palates.
Traditional peanut butter, with peanuts as its main ingredient alongside salt and possibly sugar, strikes a perfect balance between savory, sweet, and rich notes, making it a universally loved spread. Crunchy peanut butter, containing peanuts, salt, sugar, and crunchy peanut seeds, delivers a delightful combination of creamy texture, savory-sweet flavor, and a satisfying crunch.
Peanut butter can also be combined with some other ingredients to create new variations. A touch of honey brings a touch of sweetness, while cocoa creates a rich chocolate flavor. Toasted coconut adds interesting textural contrast and a bit of tropical flair. By combining diverse flavors, nut butter increasingly meets many different customer preferences.

Nutritional value

Peanut butter is a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A 2-tablespoon serving (about 32g) provides:
• 188 calories. The calorie content indicates the amount of energy your body receives from a serving of food.
•  16g of fat. Fat plays a vital role in providing energy, aiding in the absorption of vitamins and minerals, protecting internal organs, and maintaining healthy skin and hair.
• 3g of saturated fat. It’s advisable to limit saturated fat intake to reduce the risk of heart disease.
•  8g of monounsaturated fat. This beneficial fat helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol, thus promoting heart health.
•  5g of polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fats also support heart health, reducing the risk of other chronic diseases.
• 8g of protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle, producing enzymes and hormones, supporting the immune system, and other functions in the body.
•  3g of fiber. Fiber aids in promoting a healthy digestive system, preventing constipation, providing a feeling of fullness, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
• 10% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of Vitamin E. This antioxidant helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. RDI is the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals.
•  22% RDI of Niacin (Vitamin B3), supporting energy metabolism, maintaining skin and hair health, and nervous system function.
• 13% RDI of Magnesium (Mg), an essential mineral for various bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation.
• 10% RDI of Phosphorus (P), an important mineral for bone and teeth health, and normal muscle and nerve function.
•  29% RDI of Manganese (Mn), a mineral that supports energy metabolism, protects cells from free radical damage, and aids in bone function.
Overall, peanut butter helps improve heart health, supports digestion, prevents constipation, and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Vitamin E, niacin, and choline in peanut butter play important roles in supporting brain function and protecting brain cells from damage. Protein and fiber can help you feel fuller for longer, thus aiding in calorie control and effective weight loss. As a rich source of protein and calories, peanut butter provides energy for active muscle function and supports post-workout recovery, making it ideal for athletes.

How to select, use, and store peanut butter

How to use

The most common way to use peanut butter is to spread it on white bread, whole wheat bread, sandwiches, etc. To enhance the flavor, you can combine the mixture with bananas, honey, jam, dried fruits, etc. Additionally, you can also use peanut butter combined with yogurt, bananas, fresh milk, cocoa powder, etc. to make delicious and nutritious protein smoothies.
When combined with vinegar, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, etc., chunky peanut butter creates a flavorful and creamy salad dressing to accompany green salads, fruit salads, pasta salads, chicken salads, etc. Furthermore, when combined with flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, etc., it can also create rich and creamy peanut butter cookies.

Tips for using peanut butter

Eating peanut butter in moderation provides you with wholesome nutrients. However, eating too much can make you gain weight because it is packed with calories and fats. The risk of weight gain increases even more if you consume commercial peanut butter brands, which often have added sugars, oils, and fats. ( Source MedicineNet)
You can eat peanut butter every day but in moderation. Do not eat more than 2 tablespoons, about 32 grams, per day. (Source MedicineNet)

Tips for choosing delicious peanut butter

Currently, there are many types of peanut butter available on the market with various brands and flavors. Below are some tips to help you choose a jar of peanut butter that you’ll enjoy:
• Choose peanut butter from reputable brands with clear origins. You should consider consumer reviews online or ask for opinions from those who have used the product before.
•  Read the information on the product packaging carefully, as it will provide you with details about the ingredients, nutritional value, expiration date, etc. It’s best to choose a type with simple ingredients, consisting only of roasted peanuts and a little salt. Avoid products that contain many additives such as sugar, hydrogenated fats, preservatives, artificial colors, etc

Preservation

Preservation is crucial in the use of peanut butter, which many people often overlook. Improperly stored peanut butter can produce Aflatoxin, a harmful toxin produced by mold. Therefore, to keep peanut butter delicious and long-lasting, here are some tips to consider:
Store the product at room temperature, ideally between 20°C to 25°C. This is the most common preservation method. Peanut butter jars should be kept in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight. At this temperature, you can preserve the mixture for about 6-8 months.
Storing it in the refrigerator’s cool compartment will help the product maintain its flavor and quality for longer, around 6-12 months. Additionally, you can place the peanut butter jar in an airtight container or ziplock bag, then store it in the freezer. This is the best way to preserve its flavor and quality for the longest time, extending its shelf life to 1-2 years.
Peanut butter is a delectable and nutritious food with a rich history and global popularity. It offers a wealth of nutritional benefits, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Peanut butter’s versatility makes it suitable for various occasions, from breakfast to snacks to desserts. Choose Dat Foods organic avocado for your health.If you’re seeking a tasty, healthy, and convenient addition to your diet, peanut butter is an excellent choice.