Essay II

There are many types of peanut butter on the grocer's shelves today. Some are peanut imposters; secretly pretending to be the real thing. But with their list of ingredients; sugars, emulsifiers and other fillers, you know that you are eating somebody's make believe idea of peanut butter. That's what creamy peanut butter is, all show, no substance. Crunchy peanut butter is a step up, but still lacks the top oils that make it true peanut butter. Crunchy, like creamy, often has its shares of fillers. Only all natural crunchy peanut butter exemplifies the true nature of peanut butter, with its simple ingredient list of peanuts, just peanuts.

I am a fan of the ubiquitous peanut, in the form of peanut butter. I have it on my bagel every morning. But not just any peanut butter. I always have pure, unadulterated peanut butter, only ingredient is peanuts. I have creamy in my cabinet, but seldom use it; it's not really peanut butter. First off, where are the peanuts? Are they removed for those people who suffer with dentures? Does the manufacturer somehow think that no one will notice? Peanut butter without peanuts is not peanut butter. It is a mere pretender to the throne. When I eat creamy peanut butter, there is no crunch, no texture to tell me I've eaten a peanut product. Yes, the flavor is there, but it sticks to the roof of my mouth and I have to pry it off. I don't think true peanut butter should require that I have to go through complicated maneuvers just to enjoy my food. And peanut butter is meant to be enjoyed.

Crunchy peanut butter is a step above creamy, but unless it's all natural, it's still not authentic. It has a list of ingredients as long as your arm, with names like "hydrogenated vegetable oils", emulsifiers and added sugar. Peanuts have oil in them, why do I need more? And sugar? Come on, I don't need candy peanut butter! Crunchy will do in a pinch; after all, there are peanuts in it. But I want pure, unsullied peanut butter, nothing added.

The best of all worlds is natural peanut butter. Peanut butter where the only ingredient is peanuts. Of course, that is what I eat on my bagel each morning. I open the jar and am greeted by the aroma of peanuts, rising to my nostrils. A thin skim of oil sits on the top, oil from the peanuts, not some added "hydrogenated" variety. I stir the oil into the peanut butter, plunging my knife to the bottom of the jar. I stir carefully, trying not to let any butter escape onto the countertop. The chunks of peanut rise and fall with my rhythmic stirring. Then I dip my knife into this delectable delicacy and place a sizable glob onto my bagel. I smooth it, just so. It blankets the bagel evenly. I sit at my kitchen table and begin to eat; savoring each bite. Sometimes, a dollop of peanut butter will escape through the bagel hole. I scoop it up with the edge of my bagel; not wanting to miss a drop. Natural peanut butter; the way a peanut butter should be.

Well, as you can see, I am a devotee of the modest peanut, especially in the form of peanut butter. Pure peanut butter, with no added padding, brimming with peanuts. I most frequently eat it on my bagel each morning, but also dip chocolate chips into it, use it in cooking, enjoy it plain. But only natural peanut butter will do, none of this pretend stuff with its extra fillers. Unless the label says all natural, it isn't peanut butter. Only the real deal will do.