Wednesday, March 14, 2012

When JIF Love Goes Bad...


I'm a gal who adores PB to a literal unhealthy extent. I seem to be developing an intolerance towards it. Not to mention, according to the Blood Type Diet, its bad for me. 

Well, I finally gave into searching out new alternatives to try. Not to forever replace JIF, I plan on still trying to eat it every now and then. At least until it causes fairly harsh reactions. No, but to be my main "nut"butter. 

First I tried Almond Butter, fresh from Farmers market.

I honestly found it bland. Even the dark chocolate mixed one. And the fresh stuff is grainy. As is the case with most freshly ground nut butters. Since they lack the emulsifying agents that the store ones have. To my understanding. 

Next up I tried Soy nut Butter. 

Soy nut Butter. Ok, so ever had artificially flavored chocolate or overly processed cheese flavor spread stuff? Thats what it put me in mind of. The artificially flavored version of peanut butter. So it was def not a keeper. 

Next I'll address Nutella...

Ok, this is not an equal to nutbutter to me. To me this is dessert related spread. So I do not consider it even a choice, though many suggest it. It would taste just awful and wrong in a pbj sammich. So no, on crepes, maybe, but not for general use. 


Ok, so lastly I heard of this Sunbutter stuff...


Ok, first lets get it out there. This stuff is made from Sunflower seeds. So techn not a "nut" butter. But then again, soy is a bean is it not? So it be a bean butter. 

Next, I've learned there is no exact JIF tasting butter outside of, well, JIF. 

Now my opinion of this stuff?


fabulous!
Very roasty tasting, extra nutrition, and very similar in cals, fat, sodium, sugar and protein to JIF.
I loved that it tasted real. Not to sweet, not to salty, not to artifical, and not bland! Plus fairly close texture, not to grainy! 


I tried a sample pack (well 2, so hubby got some too) that the company was nice enough to send priority mail. It was very very pleasing. I actually find myself wishing we had more to eat. And I didn't feel ill after eating it! 

I now there are others out there like cashew butter or peabutter, that I have not tried. But as far as I'm concerned, I think I'll go for the sunbutter.

Heard complaints of the price. Well, you can find it at Walmart for roughly $5 a jar (free home shipping when buy $45) in a six pack. Six 16oz (1lb) jars for $30. I'll check around the Atlanta area for best price near me, I'd rather find one close instead of shipping, but I'll ship if I must. 


ANYWAY! Thats my nut/seed/bean butter taste test results. 

Sunbutter wins. (I like roasty)