Whether an ingredient found in a cookie or chocolate bar, eaten by the spoonful or apart of the beloved PB&J sandwich, most people enjoy good old peanut butter in some form or another.

Although we don’t know for certain, it has been said that the ancient Aztecs used to grind up peanuts and make it into a paste, but the modern version that we know and love has been around since the late 1800’s. And would you believe that the creator of PB was Canadian?! Represent! Mr. Marcellus Edson was the one who not only created PB (although it was called peanut paste back in those days) but also the production process, back in 1884 using roasted peanuts. In 1895 John Kellogg, patented the process of using raw peanuts to create PB, which was then referred to as “nut meal”.

As far as peanut butter in a jar, there are several companies that manufacture and sell the product. And when you’re shopping for PB, be mindful of what it is your purchasing and consuming.

True peanut butter should consist of peanuts as the ingredient, nothing more, nothing less. However there are brands who sell PB with unnecessary ingredients such as icing sugar. Other unwanted ingredients are hydrogenated oils, corn maltodextrin and salt.

These ingredients are obviously not healthy, that can add extra unwanted calories and potential adverse health reactions. Be sure to read the label.

Because ‘natural’ food products are becoming more mainstream, you can easily find natural PB at your local grocery store. Organic PB is an even better option, because the peanut is also a big target for little pests. Peanuts are also one of the crops most heavily routinely sprayed with pesticides.

I have heard (and don't quote me on this), that people with peanut allergies are actually experiencing a reaction to the pesticides, not the peanut itself.

If this is what you usually purchase ...