I feel like I could write a book doing this post, but I’ll try to keep it brief. After the first let’s make a deal about chocolate, it became pretty obvious that peanut butter should be next. I strategically picked the 4 peanut butters that I thought I could showcase best(OK, OK, really these were just the 4 I’ve eaten since my last post). I have to say, I have/have tried a ridiculous amount of peanut butters and most of them I’ve reviewed on the nuts and nut butter review page.
The 4 I considered here were Naturally Nutty‘s Butter Toffee Peanut Butter, PB&Co. Mighty Maple, Justin‘s Chocolate Peanut Butter, and 365 Crunchy. All the jars being considered were bought with my own money, and none of this was endorsed by any company.
First up was Naturally Nutty‘s Butter Toffee Peanut Butter. Now, the immediate con of this is that it’s very hard to find and I’ve never been able to get it besides ordering from their website. On the other hand, it’s also totally unique in being deliciously rich and crunchy, fairly low on sugar, and full of omega’s from flax and hemp seed. And, yes, it tastes as amazing as it sounds. But there’s still the price. This definitely isn’t a pantry peanut butter, but it’s probably my favorite “special” peanut butter.
I killed two birds with one stone and had Justin‘s Chocolate Peanut Butter next to 365 Crunchy. To it’s credit, this is the only chocolate peanut butter I’ve found to taste like chocolate and peanut butter without the flavors being “muddled”. And it’s relatively low on added sugar, too! But since I figured out how to make my own chocolate nut butter with the “secret ingredient”(coconut oil), I’m less inclined to pay $7 for a jar like this.
Cost wasn’t so much an issue with the 365 crunchy, which I was able to get $1 with a store coupon. And even now that those no longer are available, they’re only $2 for a jar. Honestly, I LOVE the saltiness of their peanut butter. And that it’s only 2-ingredients is a great great thing. It’s also nice that you can always get this at any Whole Foods reliably.
Last up was PB&Co. Mighty Maple. This was actually my first flavored peanut butter ever, I believe. Again, this is one I could just eat from the jar; it’s sooo sweet and delicious. It has a bit more sugar than other jars, but the flavor is really out there. Apparently, the price and availability isn’t so consistent, though. While I can find it for under $4 a jar, some people have trouble finding it at all.
So here’s the deal: While nothing tastes better than some gourmet, fancy nut butter already done up for me, I’m happy to buy my 2 buck chuck peanut butter and flavor it myself with cocoa powder or maple syrup. Of course, I expect to pay a ridiculous amount of money on a jar of peanut butter some time in the future. But that will be a special occasion. And when it comes to the pantry, 365 is what belongs there.
Do you have any peanut butter you just can’t live without? Like I said, I felt like I had to edit it down a lot to keep it to just 4; peanut butter is amongst my favorite foods. Others I considered were Smart Balance, which is OK but just a little bland, and Naturally More, which didn’t bug me at the time but looking back it kind of weirds me out that anyone would want egg whites in peanut butter.
What would you like to see for the next installment of Let’s Make A Deal?
Yeah, flavoring the pb yourself is definitely a wise way to save some bucks. But I must admit, that Justin’s choco-butter sure does sound tasty. I’ve not seen that one, but their honey flavored nut butters used to be a favorite of mine!
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I love your comparison! I have tried Justin’s and Mighty Maple of the 4 you listed. I like them both, but actually think Mighty Maple doesn’t taste that much like maple to me. I do like it a lot though. I also like PB and Co’s Dark Chocolate Dreams. I seriously think it is heavenly. I was eating Maranatha Creamy for a while, but am taking a little break from it for now.
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I would have to say that I am an equal opportunity nut butter lover! If it is cheap and natural…I am sold!
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My favorite “fancy” pb is Trader Joes with flax. And because it’s TJs it’s really not all that fancy
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Mmmm PB&Co Mighty Maple is my fave! I have had a little trouble finding it lately in the regular grocery store (only this flavor of PB&Co for some reason), luckily I live about 3 miles from the PB&Co restaurant/store in NYC so I can go stock up there!
I love Justin’s Maple Almond butter; I’ll have to keep an eye out for the Chocolate PB. And that Naturally Nutty toffee flavor sounds delicious!!!
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naturally more is actually my pb of choice these days. very rich taste, very good stats.
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I’ve never tried any of those. Good to know the 365 version of PB is good. That will definitely save me some money.
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I LOVE PB&Co white chocolate wonderful and bee’s knees. I think those are my favorites.
Naturally Nutty is from Michigan, which I think is fantastic, but you’re right, it’s impossible to find and really expensive.
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Ah, I have to say that 365 is my favorite. I’m a creamy girl. Flavored peanut butters like Mighty Maple are delicious, but sometimes you just want plain roasted peanutty goodness. With 365, you can get that at a great price, and seriously, who cares about the oil separation. Just store your jar upside down!
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I love the TJs peanut butter, in both crunchy & smooth. And for 1.79 a jar, how can you beat it?
I like to flavor my own nut butters too, but when I see Justin’s at Marshalls on sale for 5.99 or PB & Co at Christmas Tree Shop for 2.99, I’ll pick one up for a treat
Honestly though, just plain old crunchy salted pb, just peanuts & salt, gets me every time!
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i’ve only ever had Nutella as a flavored nut butter :-O Homemade and store bought. I think my go to nut butter would have to be almond butter. I just bought some TJ’s almond butter and I can’t wait to try it!
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Great post. I suggest a let’s make a deal on Almond Butter!
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Okay is it weird that I am not really a PB snob. I kind of will eat anything. But typically Keith I buy the fresh ground kind at Whole Foods that your press yourself.
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Brilliant – when I make homemade nut butter, I am adding coconut oil! I love that idea…so rich!
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I am going with Madeline on this one…TJ’s flax peanut butter…every morning on my toast. Fun post:)
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