Peanut Butter Taste Test

by Kat Kinsman
We get a little bit nutty when it comes to PB, so it just made sense to try to find the very best. Our panel of peanut butter fans spread, sampled and analyzed nearly three dozen jars of creamy, crunchy, processed, organic, plain, flavored, supermarket and specialty brands to find a handful of serious standouts -- as well a few that made us regret having shelled out for 'em.

Ultimate fighter Chuck Liddell isn't afraid of a little peanut butter smackdown. See what he had to say about Smuckers, Skippy, and some fancy-schmancy white chocolate stuff.

Love organic and natural peanut butter, but fear the sloppy stirring process? You need a peanut butter crank!

Rachel Been, AOL

Peter Pan

Style: Crunchy 18 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 190 / 16g / 3g / 3g
Taste (1-5): 4
Mouth feel (1-5): 4.5
Spreadability (1-5): 4.5
Over-all appeal (1-5): 4.5
Our panel says: "Good aftertaste." "Love the texture and consistency, I just wish it were sweeter." "Exactly what you remember from childhood."



Rachel Been, AOL

Better'n Peanut Butter (Lowest Rated)

Style: Creamy, low-sodium, gluten-free 16 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 100 / 2.5g / 0g / 2g
Taste (1-5): 1
Mouth feel (1-5): 2
Spreadability (1-5): 5
Over-all appeal (1-5): 1
Website: betternpeanutbutter.com
Our panel says: "Bad, processed candy taste." "It was like my mouth was a microwave, and it was melting plastic." "It has PB texture, but uses a sweetness to mask the artificial flavor." "Disgusting."

Rachel Been, AOL

Yum Nature

Style: Smooth, all-natural 18 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 190 / 15g / 2g / 2g
Taste (1-5): 1
Mouth feel (1-5): 2
Spreadability (1-5): 2
Over-all appeal (1-5): 2
Our panel says: "Oily, but thick in the mouth. Taste is subtle, but the oil is too strong." "The angry squirrel on the jar has made me afraid to rate this one. I am certain the squirrel would rob you for your nuts." (Note: When we gave away all the jars at the end of tasting, this was the only one that no one would touch.)

Rachel Been, AOL

Yum Nature

Style: Smooth, all-natural 18 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 190 / 15g / 2g / 2g
Taste (1-5): 1
Mouth feel (1-5): 2
Spreadability (1-5): 2
Over-all appeal (1-5): 2
Our panel says: "Oily, but thick in the mouth. Taste is subtle, but the oil is too strong." "The angry squirrel on the jar has made me afraid to rate this one. I am certain the squirrel would rob you for your nuts." (Note: When we gave away all the jars at the end of tasting, this was the only one that no one would touch.)

Rachel Been, AOL

Trader Joe's

Style: Crunchy, salted 16 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 200 / 15g / 2g / 2g
Taste (1-5): 3
Mouth feel (1-5): 3.5
Spreadability (1-5): 3.5
Over-all appeal (1-5): 3
Website: traderjoes.com
Our panel says: "Nice crunch!" "Salty -- not typical sweet taste." "Tastes like ballpark peanuts." "Great crunch factor, but thin, and not sweet enough."

Rachel Been, AOL

Trader Joe's

Style: Creamy, organic, Valencia unsalted 16 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 210 / 17g / 3g / 2g
Taste (1-5): 2.5
Mouth feel (1-5): 2
Spreadability (1-5): 4
Over-all appeal (1-5): 2
Website: traderjoes.com
Our panel says: "Very obviously unsalted. Boring." "Tastes like an unsalted, roasted peanut." "Too oily at room temperature. Probably good refrigerated."

Rachel Been, AOL

Soy Wonder

Style: Crunchy, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-nut butter 16 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 170 / 11g / 3g / 4g
Taste (1-5): 3
Mouth feel (1-5): 4.5
Spreadability (1-5): 3.5
Over-all appeal (1-5): 4
Website: treeoflife.com
Our panel says: "Great taste. A healthy alternative got people with peanut allergies." "Not ideal, but interesting." "Good distribution of crunch." "Different, but okay."

Rachel Been, AOL

Smucker's Natural

Style: Creamy, no salt added 12 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 210 / 16g / 2g / 1g
Taste (1-5): 2
Mouth feel (1-5): 2
Spreadability (1-5): 2
Over-all appeal (1-5): 2
Our panel says: "Needs salt." "Too smooth and runny."

Rachel Been, AOL

Smucker's Organic

Style: Creamy, organic 16 oz
Cal./Fat/Fiber/Sugar: 210 / 16g / 2g / 1g
Taste (1-5): 4
Mouth feel (1-5): 4
Spreadability (1-5): 4.5
Over-all appeal (1-5): 4
Ourpanel says: "Very natural and hearty." "Super-smooth, not too sweet." "Tastes a little burnt."

Rachel Been, AOL