Latest news with #PeanutButter
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I tried the most popular peanut butter brands, and the best one is a classic
Nothing satisfies a comfort-food craving quite like a pillowy-soft PB&J sandwich or a spoonful of peanut butter. It's nostalgic and delicious. After testing nine of the most popular peanut butter brands, there was a clear winner. The creamy texture and salty-sweet taste reminded me of childhood in the best possible way. When I mentioned to friends that I would be testing this pantry staple, they were all quick to offer opinions. (It turns out everyone thinks they know the best store-bought peanut butter!) They also had lots of questions: Would I try creamy peanut butter? Crunchy? Organic? Salted? Because there are so many options, I stuck with creamy only (both conventional and organic) from peanut butter brands that are available in supermarkets across the country. I tasted them by the spoonful without jelly or bread to interfere with the flavor and mouthfeel. As a culinary school grad who has worked in restaurants and written about food and cooking, I can appreciate the difference between old-school creamy peanut butter and the organic, all-natural version. I bought options across the spectrum from most processed to least, and the one that creamed the competition? Well, let's just say the brand is synonymous with peanut butter. To narrow down the pool, I stuck with smooth peanut butter, ranging from processed to natural. When it came to tasting, I decided the best approach was to be a purist: Just open the jar, breathe in the aroma and dig in with a spoon. No bread, no jelly, no celery sticks. Jif Creamy Peanut Butter: As close to Skippy as you can get, Jif is a strong runner-up. It's creamy and rich, but the flavor isn't quite as craveable. It contains the same hydrogenated vegetable oil as most other conventional/processed peanut butter and has the same thick and spreadable texture you expect. It was yummy! Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter: This was my first encounter with Peter Pan, but I know the brand has a cult following. Peter Pan has been around since 1920, at first under a different name but then coined "Peter Pan" as a nod to the character and the play. Like the other processed peanut butter, it spreads beautifully and feels lighter, but the intense sweetness was off-puting to me. Justin's Classic Creamy Peanut Butter: I was so disappointed in Justin's, having tried and enjoyed the brand's almond and cashew butters. This was the worst-tasting natural peanut butter with little flavor to speak of and a hint of bitterness, plus grit. This peanut butter contained peanuts and palm oil. 365 by Whole Foods Market Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter: Made from only peanuts and salt, this was the least thick and creamy of the all-natural bunch. It's almost drippy in texture. The flavor was nutty enough and had a good kick of salt, but it's not winning medals. Good & Gather Organic Peanut Butter: Another organic and all-natural option, Target's house brand spread contains only dry roasted peanuts. When shopping, I didn't realize that this is unsalted, which gave it a real disadvantage. The texture was smoother than others, though. Skippy Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: This alternate version of the classic Skippy is okay. Like some "natural" peanut butter, it has added palm oil, which keeps the oil and solids from separating and needing to be stirred. For my money, and if I'm going to submit to the sheer heaven that is processed peanut butter, I prefer the original Skippy. Teddie All Natural Smooth Peanut Butter: This natural option contains only peanuts and salt and is thicker than some of the others. It has an earthy, authentic peanut flavor that would likely make a good addition to dips or sauces. Now that you know which spread to buy, here's how to take your PB (or PB&J) sandwiches to the next level. Got some sticky questions? We've got answers! As far as snacking goes, peanut butter pairs perfectly with crunchy raw veggie sticks (celery, carrots and jicama all work) and sliced apples or banana. It's also delightful on top of rice cakes or as a dip for pretzels. We recently tested a variety of nut butter to come up with a list of the healthiest nut butter, which included two tasty peanut butter options — Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Crunchy Peanut Butter and One Trick Pony SIlky Smooth Peanut Butter. Some dogs absolutely love peanut butter as a treat, but dogs don't benefit from the added salt and sugar that humans may enjoy, so choose a peanut butter that's all-natural and unsalted, like Teddie All-Natural Unsalted Smooth Peanut Butter.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
24 Really Shocking "It Tastes Good, I Swear!" Food Combos That People Love — No Matter How Deeply Concerning Some Are
Last week, I shared with Tasty readers that I liked pickles on a peanut butter sandwich. I really thought I was weird for that, but after everyone commented back with their own bizarre food fixations, I felt like my snack might not be so strange after all. Hundreds of people in the Tasty Community shared their favorite weird snacks, and as an appreciator of bizarre foods myself, I was impressed by how strange some of the food combos were. I've rounded up 24 of the most unique snacks below (and as weird as some of these sound, I really want to try them): 1."Marshmallows in my dad's pizza sauce. It works for some unexplainable reason." –Anonymous 2."Grilled cheese rolled into tiny balls and dipped in a chocolate milkshake. Dunno if that counts as weird, but I was judged for it, lol." –fluffyghoul1435 3."Totino's Pizza rolls dipped in apple cider vinegar." –mushycupcake208 4."Indian sweet and spicy tamarind sauce on vanilla bean ice cream with black pepper." –minicomet442 5."Camembert cheese and banana on Salada crackers with Marmite. Yes, I'm illegal." –fluffygoblin202 6."Can of cream of chicken soup, pop that sucker open, don't cook it or dilute it. Use the condensed mix as a dip for crackers." –stylishminion27 7."Cottage cheese and baked beans. Try it just once and you'll be hooked!" –Katie, 40, Colorado Hungry for actually-delicious snacks? Download the free Tasty app to browse and save 7,500+ free recipes — no subscription required. 8."I really like a cream cheese sandwich with pickles, ginger, and sriracha, and sometimes eggs!" –Liyana, Calgary 9."Popcorn and milk! You eat it like you would cereal, but with salt, butter, and milk. It goes way back in my family and was always eaten at family gatherings." –Anonymous 10."Twizzlers and Peanut Butter; especially JIF Chocolate PB." Melanie, 47, Texas 11."Banana and mayo sandwiches. TRUST." –Becca Burgess, Instagram 12."Strawberries dipped in sour cream and then brown sugar. Fresh strawberries are best. Wife thought I was crazy, but when she tried it, she loved it." –Jason, 53, South Carolina 13."Dill pickles dipped in vanilla yogurt." –Ann Fort, Instagram 14."Not me, but my friend started ranting one day about how she really wanted vanilla ice cream with Doritos and pickles. Personally, I like crushed Lays in yogurt. I know it sounds really weird, but one day I was out of granola and tried crushed chips instead. The saltiness paired very well with the sweet yogurt. Also, my other friend loooooves putting blueberries on her avocado toast (she swears by it)." –Anonymous, 26, USA 15."Pasta (any kind, but I prefer rotini or radiatori) with raspberry vinaigrette and queso fresco. Amazing combination of sweet but tangy, and the saltiness of the cheese. Been eating this for years and my family can't stand it." –Anonymous 16."Hard-boiled eggs with peanut butter and jelly on top." –Jessica, Instagram 17."The liquid in the Vienna sausage cans. I pour it on a cup of rice and dig in! My friends call me weird for that. 🤷♂️" –James, Threads 18."Watermelon with blue cheese and sunflower kernels. Rosemary crackers, strawberry-jalapeno jam, sharp cheddar, and a sweet gherkin. Both totally weird, both totally DELISH!" Mary Smith, Threads 19."Cottage cheese mixed with a squirt of mustard mixed in, eaten with hearts of palm. It's SO WEIRD, but SO DELICIOUS!" –Jill Kimmel, Threads 20."I don't remember how or why I discovered this, but eating a really sharp cheddar cheese with a glass of orange juice just does it for me. Something about the tartness of the juice cutting through the sharpness of the cheese. So good!" –Nick, 44, Minnesota 21."Spicy Cheetos dipped in vanilla yogurt. Not for everyone, but it is my favorite vice." –Anonymous 22."Trader Joe's Takis on a bagel with plain cream cheese!" –Anonymous 23."Oreo dipped in hot sauce. The spiciness complements the creamy filling surprisingly well." –Ashley, 58, Italy 24."A cinnamon raisin bagel with lox." –Anonymous Do you have a "weird" snack that belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments, or share it with us through the anonymous form below.
Buzz Feed
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
24 Really Shocking "It Tastes Good, I Swear!" Food Combos That People Love — No Matter How Deeply Concerning Some Are
Last week, I shared with Tasty readers that I liked pickles on a peanut butter sandwich. I really thought I was weird for that, but after everyone commented back with their own bizarre food fixations, I felt like my snack might not be so strange after all. Hundreds of people in the Tasty Community shared their favorite weird snacks, and as an appreciator of bizarre foods myself, I was impressed by how strange some of the food combos were. I've rounded up 24 of the most unique snacks below (and as weird as some of these sound, I really want to try them): 1. "Marshmallows in my dad's pizza sauce. It works for some unexplainable reason." –Anonymous 2. "Grilled cheese rolled into tiny balls and dipped in a chocolate milkshake. Dunno if that counts as weird, but I was judged for it, lol." – fluffyghoul1435 3. "Totino's Pizza rolls dipped in apple cider vinegar." – mushycupcake208 4. "Indian sweet and spicy tamarind sauce on vanilla bean ice cream with black pepper." – minicomet442 F*CK, THAT'S DELICIOUS / Via 6. "Can of cream of chicken soup, pop that sucker open, don't cook it or dilute it. Use the condensed mix as a dip for crackers." – stylishminion27 7. "Cottage cheese and baked beans. Try it just once and you'll be hooked!" –Katie, 40, Colorado Hungry for actually -delicious snacks? Download the free Tasty app to browse and save 7,500+ free recipes — no subscription required. 8. "I really like a cream cheese sandwich with pickles, ginger, and sriracha, and sometimes eggs!" –Liyana, Calgary PBS / Via 9. "Popcorn and milk! You eat it like you would cereal, but with salt, butter, and milk. It goes way back in my family and was always eaten at family gatherings." –Anonymous 10. "Twizzlers and Peanut Butter; especially JIF Chocolate PB." Melanie, 47, Texas 11. "Banana and mayo sandwiches. TRUST." 12. "Strawberries dipped in sour cream and then brown sugar. Fresh strawberries are best. Wife thought I was crazy, but when she tried it, she loved it." –Jason, 53, South Carolina First We Feast / Via 14. "Not me, but my friend started ranting one day about how she really wanted vanilla ice cream with Doritos and pickles. Personally, I like crushed Lays in yogurt. I know it sounds really weird, but one day I was out of granola and tried crushed chips instead. The saltiness paired very well with the sweet yogurt. Also, my other friend loooooves putting blueberries on her avocado toast (she swears by it)." –Anonymous, 26, USA 15. "Pasta (any kind, but I prefer rotini or radiatori) with raspberry vinaigrette and queso fresco. Amazing combination of sweet but tangy, and the saltiness of the cheese. Been eating this for years and my family can't stand it." –Anonymous 17. "The liquid in the Vienna sausage cans. I pour it on a cup of rice and dig in! My friends call me weird for that. 🤷♂️" DebbiSmirnoff / Getty Images 19. "Cottage cheese mixed with a squirt of mustard mixed in, eaten with hearts of palm. It's SO WEIRD, but SO DELICIOUS!" –Jill Kimmel, Threads 20. "I don't remember how or why I discovered this, but eating a really sharp cheddar cheese with a glass of orange juice just does it for me. Something about the tartness of the juice cutting through the sharpness of the cheese. So good!" –Nick, 44, Minnesota 21. "Spicy Cheetos dipped in vanilla yogurt. Not for everyone, but it is my favorite vice." –Anonymous Master Chef AU / Via 22. "Trader Joe's Takis on a bagel with plain cream cheese!" –Anonymous 23. "Oreo dipped in hot sauce. The spiciness complements the creamy filling surprisingly well." –Ashley, 58, Italy 24. "A cinnamon raisin bagel with lox." –Anonymous Do you have a "weird" snack that belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments, or share it with us through the anonymous form below.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I tested 9 of the best peanut butter brands — and I'm sticking with a classic
What's more nostalgic than a spoonful of peanut butter or a pillowy-soft PB&J sandwich? Nothing! I tested nine of the most popular brands, and quite a few were highly satisfying. The best peanut butter reminded me of the perfect school lunch on a sunny day — with a creamy texture and a salty, slightly sweet taste. When I mentioned to friends that I would be testing this pantry staple, they were all quick to offer opinions. (It turns out everyone thinks they know the best store-bought peanut butter!) They also had lots of questions: Would I try creamy peanut butter? Crunchy? Organic? Salted? Because there are so many options, I stuck with creamy only (both conventional and organic) from peanut butter brands that are available in supermarkets across the country. I tasted them by the spoonful without jelly or bread to interfere with the flavor and mouthfeel. As a culinary school grad who has worked in restaurants and written about food and cooking, I can appreciate the difference between old-school creamy peanut butter and the organic, all-natural version. I bought options across the spectrum from most processed to least, and the one that creamed the competition? Well, let's just say the brand is synonymous with peanut butter. To narrow down the pool, I stuck with smooth peanut butter, ranging from processed to natural. When it came to tasting, I decided the best approach was to be a purist: Just open the jar, breathe in the aroma and dig in with a spoon. No bread, no jelly, no celery sticks. Jif Creamy Peanut Butter: As close to Skippy as you can get, Jif is a strong runner-up. It's creamy and rich, but the flavor isn't quite as craveable. It contains the same hydrogenated vegetable oil as most other conventional/processed peanut butter and has the same thick and spreadable texture you expect. It was yummy! Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter: This was my first encounter with Peter Pan, but I know the brand has a cult following. Peter Pan has been around since 1920, at first under a different name but then coined "Peter Pan" as a nod to the character and the play. Like the other processed peanut butter, it spreads beautifully and feels lighter, but the intense sweetness was off-puting to me. Justin's Classic Creamy Peanut Butter: I was so disappointed in Justin's, having tried and enjoyed the brand's almond and cashew butters. This was the worst-tasting natural peanut butter with little flavor to speak of and a hint of bitterness, plus grit. This peanut butter contained peanuts and palm oil. 365 by Whole Foods Market Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter: Made from only peanuts and salt, this was the least thick and creamy of the all-natural bunch. It's almost drippy in texture. The flavor was nutty enough and had a good kick of salt, but it's not winning medals. Good & Gather Organic Peanut Butter: Another organic and all-natural option, Target's house brand spread contains only dry roasted peanuts. When shopping, I didn't realize that this is unsalted, which gave it a real disadvantage. The texture was smoother than others, though. Skippy Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: This alternate version of the classic Skippy is okay. Like some "natural" peanut butter, it has added palm oil, which keeps the oil and solids from separating and needing to be stirred. For my money, and if I'm going to submit to the sheer heaven that is processed peanut butter, I prefer the original Skippy. Teddie All Natural Smooth Peanut Butter: This natural option contains only peanuts and salt and is thicker than some of the others. It has an earthy, authentic peanut flavor that would likely make a good addition to dips or sauces. Now that you know which spread to buy, here's how to take your PB (or PB&J) sandwiches to the next level. Got some sticky questions? We've got answers! As far as snacking goes, peanut butter pairs perfectly with crunchy raw veggie sticks (celery, carrots and jicama all work) and sliced apples or banana. It's also delightful on top of rice cakes or as a dip for pretzels. We recently tested a variety of nut butter to come up with a list of the healthiest nut butter, which included two tasty peanut butter options — Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Crunchy Peanut Butter and One Trick Pony SIlky Smooth Peanut Butter. Some dogs absolutely love peanut butter as a treat, but dogs don't benefit from the added salt and sugar that humans may enjoy, so choose a peanut butter that's all-natural and unsalted, like Teddie All-Natural Unsalted Smooth Peanut Butter.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Fulfil protein bars review: They don't quite fulfill the promise of tasting like candy
Fulfil protein bars review: They don't quite fulfill the promise of tasting like candy Welcome back to FTW's Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey. I prefer my protein in powder form -- specifically, something vanilla to slip into morning coffee and make me feel slightly fancy while drinking my breakfast. Still, I appreciate the convenience of a protein bar on the go. Granted, for me that mostly means a car snack on a long drive. Even so, getting a dense, candy-adjacent rush of protein to keep me from pounding a full bag of salt and vinegar chips on the road is a win. That led me to Fulfil, which promises a modest dose of protein (15 grams) in a 40 gram bar and minimal sugar. It also says it tastes great, dropping a coy "we swear, it's a protein bar" right on the packaging. That's an area where Pure Protein was really hit or miss. Can Fulfil be better? Let's see what we've got. Chocolate Peanut Butter: B+ To be sure, this doesn't smell like a protein bar. The chocolate (or chocolat-ish) on the outside of the bar is sweet and mixes with the peanuts inside to give off the feeling you're about to bite into a Baby Ruth. The shape, however, is very protein bar -- a short rectangle of densely-packed nutrients that, with peanut pieces sticking out from underneath the coating, make it look at least somewhat like it's already been digested. So, mixed bag. That chocolate coating gives way to an interior layer that brings the dense chewiness you'd expect from 15 grams of protein. If doesn't taste especially protein-y, however. Toward the end you get some of that distinct whey flavor, but it's less apparent here than it is in many of Fulfil's competitors. While there's a certain amount of thickness in each bite, it also avoids some of the repetitive, jaw-tiring textures that come with other protein snacks. Each chomp takes a while to break down, but it's more like working through nougat or a heavy layer or caramel than packed whey. This does help it hit its goal of feeling more like a candy bar than health(ish) food. You're not going to mistake it for a Snickers, but you'd have an easier time convincing your six-year-old this is a sweet rather than a dietary building block than you would with, say, a Quest bar. Chocolate Hazelnut: F Here's an interesting flavor; basically Nutella in a more solid form. Once again the bar is a little small but it smells great -- sweet chocolate and a little bit of nuts. That chocolate leads the way, and it's solid enough. But as you work through the inherent chewiness of a protein bar, that hazelnut comes to the surface and, friends, it is bad. Stale and slightly spicy and generally unpleasant. I didn't finish the bar. It was gross. Chocolate Salted Caramel: B- I'm going right from the hazelnut into this one, which is slightly concerning. Again, the bar smells like a proper chocolate treat and a coating of crisped rice makes the whole thing pretty appealing. And, again, you start off on a high note. The first bite leans into the contrast of sweet and salty. It's backed by the textural clash of chewy caramel and crunchy rice. It's a great beginning. Toward the end, you run into some of the stale protein that's become a trend with Fulfil. That's a bit of a bummer, but it's not uncommon among the genre. Gotta fit the healthy part in somewhere. Fortunately it's nowhere near as acrid as the hazelnut and the bar itself is a little less chewy than the chocolate peanut butter form. It leaves that stale, almost metallic aftertaste on the back of your tongue and into your molars. That's frustrating, especially given how well the contrasts up front are. But after the chocolate hazelnut it's basically a five-star meal unto itself. So, there's that. Chocolate Peanut Caramel: B The caramel here helps justify some of the protein bar chewiness that's built in to the genre. True to Fulfil form, the opening bite is solid. There's not as much crunchy peanut as the textured top of the bar suggests, but the flavors are balanced to give a nice Snickers vibe. Then the turn comes. Fortunately it's not as bad as it's been elsewhere; you wind up with some lingering chewiness and general whey protein dairy-adjacent flavors. Part of the issue may be that Fulfil starts off on such high notes. For the first three seconds this feels absolutely indulgent. Then it veers sharply into standard protein bar aesthetics, down to a lingering aftertaste that's like someone trying to describe a candy bar to you. Still, it does the job. I'm eating this one mid-workout on a morning where I haven't eaten anything and it's stabilizing my brain and balance. It'll ensure I get to lunch without snacking. Triple Chocolate: D+ I'm a bit wary here; Fulfil's chocolate has had the lasting flavor of Fruit Stripe gum and now I'm getting 300 percent of it. The bar has a nice coating with a smattering of chocolate chips on it. That sets each bite off with a solid start. Ultimately, however, the protein part kicks in. It's chewy and slightly sour. Get a bite with a lot of chocolate chips and it's not so noticeable. Get a plain bite and, woof. It's tough. That's the theme that connects Fulfil's flavors. They deliver the promised candy sweetness up front. Then comes the protein, which brings a stale milk flavor that taints your tongue from the back half of chewing the bar and well after you've finished it. That's not unfinishable, but you can do a lot better with your protein bars. Would I (eat) it instead of a Hamm's? This a pass/fail mechanism where I compare whatever I'm drinking (or in this case, eating) to my baseline cheap beer. That's the standby from the land of sky-blue waters, Hamm's. So the question to answer is: on a typical day, would I eat Fulfil protein bars over a cold can of Hamm's? There are some winners here. They're all a smidge too chewy and will never be mistaken for actual candy, but they're filling in a small package and the peanut flavors are solid. However, Fulfil is too inconsistent for me to give it an overall thumbs up. Beer me.
