I think crunchy is underrated. Supposedly, 60% of people prefer creamy peanut butter while only 40% prefer crunchy. I’m a big fan of creamy, but when you eat as much peanut butter as I do you begin to crave some texture. Once you find the
perfect crunchy peanut butter – the one with the perfect number of chunks, the crunchiest chunks and the ultimate flavor – there’s no turning back. That’s why the 14th installment of
peanut butter reviews will focus on 4 different crunchy peanut butters, and I guarantee you’ve never heard of them
all. I should warn you, 2 of these peanut butters are some of the WORST I’ve ever had. Now that I’ve built up your excitement, read on…
Reviews:
ALGOOD Crunchy
= 40%
This Louisville, Kentucky brand of
peanut butter is, at best, bland. The
peanut butter has a nice color and decent amount of chunks, and the smell is very similar to Skippy crunchy. The sodium and sugar levels are on par with a standard
peanut butter too. But when you taste it, there’s just nothing there. You get a small roasted
peanut butter that dies away quickly, and the added sugar and salt don’t really do much at all. I picked it up because of the traditional old-style label and the low price point (under $2 I believe) but after tasting it, I don’t think I would have paid $0.25 for it. It’s definitely not AL-that-GOOD. It’s best use? A
peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich, because I hate mayonnaise and would throw such a sandwich out immediately.
Once Again Organic American Classic Crunchy
= 75%
Once Again is a unique company which prides itself on the high quality and health aspects of their nut butters. This offering is an attempt to replicate “classic”
peanut butter in a healthy way. The texture is nice and thick with just a hint of sugar. It has a uniquely fresh flavor but a little on the bland side. The chunks are medium sized and very crunchy but unless you’re using a dense bread, you’ll tear your bread to pieces should you try to make a sandwich. I like this flavor for putting a blob on each bite of a banana because I can pile it so high! Again, a very unique
peanut butter – give it a try if you can find it! This is very good for chunky
Peanut Sauce or in
Cinnamon Rum Truffles.
Sanitarium Crunchy
= 30%
Yikes, I think Australia took a
peanut butter making course from ALGOOD or perhaps vice-versa. This
peanut butter is terrible. It’s similar to ALGOOD crunchy except that the color is paler, there is virtually no smell, and the flavor is horrendous. It sort of tastes like peanuts right out of the shell, only perhaps they were picked too early because it leaves a boring, flavorless taste in your mouth. Uses? Another
peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich. This time, with artichokes on it (*gag*). As the name implies, if you like this
peanut butter, you belong in a sanitarium. In all seriousness, I threw this jar out.
Trader Joe’s Salted Crunchy
= 70%
This
peanut butter is identical to the
Trader Joe’s creamy that I love so much. To recap, Trader Joe’s creamy
peanut butter is very creamy, to the point that the term “runny” is more applicable then “creamy”. It has a nice, strong roasted flavor and is well salted, both things I enjoy. The crunchy variety simply adds some chunks which gives a nice crunch but the overall experience isn’t as enjoyable as with the creamy style. I enjoy the runnyness of this
peanut butter in it’s pure form (the creamy variety) better.
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oh i love crunchy!!! i was just talking about this today with co-workers :) in fact, i have been known to dig for the chunks… and eat lots of pb along the way!
I agree, it’s like digging for gold!
i like your review on sanitaruim. i live in australia and it’s the only no added salt + no added sugar available here. unfortunate because it does taste a bit like s*** :/
Haha, yes it does. You just need to make your own!
I’m eating the Trader Joes right now! Although I still like Crazy Richard’s (or Krema) best for plain crunchy peanut butter.
And seriously, a name like Sanitaruim? Sounds like a bathroom cleaning product…
Crazy Richard’s Crunchy is definitely better. But TJ’s creamy is very comparable to Crazy Richard’s creamy – I may even like TJ’s better since they leave the skin on and roast it a little more.
I probably shouldn’t have thrown the Sanitarium out and tried to see if it could get the mildew off the shower tiles!
LOL!!!! —> “It’s definitely not AL-that-GOOD. It’s best use? A peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich, because I hate mayonnaise and would throw such a sandwich out immediately.”
GREAT JOB on your newest reviews!
Thanks Debbie! I try =)
Depends on usage, but I prefer crunchy when just having some plain pb and/or on a sammie. And holy cow, that is some strong dislike for those two pb’s. Bummer.
Can’t believe you don’t like artichokes. ;)
I agree. Creamy I use more for oatmeal, baking and on pancakes.
I never really had artichokes until I studied abroad in Spain. The senora we stayed with made artichoke soup as a starter like 3-4 times per week. I got so sick of it. Plus, she put out this mayo-like stuff to eat with the artichoke leaves. It was a horrendous experience!
I LOVE crunchy pb best too! I try to get extra crunchy if they have it. I wish I had Trader Joes pb…i will die never knowing how awesome their pb (or any of their products) are. I don’t even have a Whole Foods!!
Oh man, that’s rough. Where do you live? Alaska? Antarctica?
Vanessa: if you live in Canada (which would explain the lack of a TJ’s) bulk barn organic with sea salt is TJ’s creamy.
I’m headed to Canada this summer (Quebec) for a vacation. The brand is “Bulk Barn”? Thanks for the tip!
Bulk barn is a chain of bulk food stores in Canada. They stock a large selection of nut butters in bulk. My favourites are the organic natural (TJ’s) and their cashew butter, which is awesome, especially for making indian food.
Here is their website – store locator for the province of Québec: http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/locations.html?Province=6
Great, thanks! I’ll be sure to check it out when I go!
I am a crunchy PB girl all the way!!!
Thanks for being so honest too. I hate when people are all nice on their blogs. I want the truth :-)
Nice. I agree, most foodies rave about everything. I’m a bit guilty of that, especially when eating out, but I’m getting better at critiquing for sure! But those 2 brands deserved the beating, they were pretty terrible.
So have you found what you consider the “perfect” crunchy peanut butter? For me, it’s Santa Cruz Dark Roasted. Of all the ones I’ve tried (A LOT!), that’s my favorite so far.
Thanks for a great blog!
I think so. My favorite is 365 (Whole Foods brand) Crunchy. Simply peanuts and salt. Less sodium than most actually but it has a perfect flavor and consistency. The creamy variety is great too, it’s more of a coarse grind so it’s almost a bit crunchy as well. It’s also one of the cheapest brands you can find at around $1.79 per jar.
I’ve heard about Santa Cruz Dark but I have never tried it! It’s a west coast thing, right? I just came back from California a few days ago but I never saw it! I need to try it. I remember seeing their regular or “light roasted” one a few years back but it look awful (like Sanitarium), so I didn’t buy it.
I’m near Atlanta, GA and I get Santa Cruz Dark at Whole Foods. I’m almost out so I’m about to go buy some. I’ll purchase some 365 as well and do a comparison. That is a great price so I hope it’s as good. Thanks for the tip!
Just came across this neat blog about one of my favorite foods! Jiff Smooth is still my all time favorite. I buy it in bulk at my local Sam’s club. I plan on trying a few of the recipes you have posted, thanks again.
I love that you review peanut butter! So cool! My all-time favorite is Costco’s organic pb. It’s the best–not too salty, unsweetened, organic and sooo smooth. <3
crunchy pb is my favorite!! i love the fresh-grind kind in the bulk section at Central Market- it’s literally just peanuts, all you have to do is push a button and its ground right there in front of you!
howdy do you know why kraft brand p.b. does not make a 1 or 2 kilo size in the CRUNCHY type the questions driving me nuts lol fellow crunchy lover
Good question! I think they make it, it’s just hard to find? Perhaps the average Canadian greatly prefers creamy/crunchy?