Peanut Butter Lover's Day

Peanut Butter Lover's Day is March 1st

Peanut Butter Lover's Day was designated in 2010 by HolidaySmart's Registrar in honor of Peanut Month, which is the month of March. Because one day is not enough for Peanut Butter Lover's, November was later added as Peanut Butter Lover's Month. 

I’m willing to bet that most everyone has gotten a taste of this delightful paste at some point in their life. To some, peanut butter isn’t a passing fancy. It’s a cornerstone of their daily lives. If you’re a PB fanatic, today is the day for you. March 1, Peanut Butter Lovers Day, is about one thing and one thing only: eating peanut butter. So break out the jars, get some bread, and spread, spread, spread!

History of Peanut Butter Lover's Day

The National Peanut Board, a peanut farmer-funded research and educational program, celebrates March as National Peanut Month! That’s right. An entire month dedicated to one of the world’s most popular legumes. That Peanut Butter Lovers Day is the kickoff to this celebratory month makes sense. Peanut butter is a widely consumed food product, with about 94 percent of American households in possession of the delicious spread.

History of Peanut Butter

The peanut’s origin likely began in South America, specifically Peru or Brazil. European explorers first came across peanuts in Brazil and brought them over to Spain. From there, peanuts spread out to the far reaches of Africa and Asia. In North America, Africans introduced peanuts to the continent in the 1700s. The existence of peanut butter goes as far back as the ancient Incas and Aztecs who grounded roasted peanuts into a paste. The creation of modern peanut butter is an honor shared by numerous inventors. Marcellus Gilmore Edson patented peanut paste, a product created by milling roasted peanuts between two hot surfaces. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, in 1895, patented a process that used raw peanuts to make peanut butter. His peanut butter was marketed as a protein supplement for patients who didn’t have teeth. Another doctor, Andrew Straub, patented a peanut making machine in 1903. Then, in 1922, chemist Joseph Rosefield came up with a process that made smooth peanut butter. The procedure involved using partially hydrogenated oil to keep the oil from separating (rising to the top). In 1928, Rosefield licensed his design to Swift & Company, the creators of Peter Pan peanut butter. In 1932, Rosefield produced his own peanut butter label, Skippy.

Fun Facts - Peanut Butter Edition

• Your spread must contain at least 90% peanuts to be legally labeled peanut butter
• Peanuts are legumes, plant-based vegetables, while nuts are a fruit.
• Americans eat three pounds of PB per person a year. That much PB can cover the floor of the Grand Canyon.
• One acre of peanuts will make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches
• Former U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter were peanut farmers
• 540: that’s the number of peanuts it takes to make a 12-ounce jar of PB
• Less than 5 gallons of water is needed to make 1 ounce of peanut butter
• A high-pressure environment can turn peanut butter into diamonds

 
 
Ways To Celebrate Peanut Butter Lovers Day

With the history lesson out of the way, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Or, more accurately, the cream and smoothy.

Check out the Peanut Butter Lovers for some thoughtful and creative PB recipes.

My Food and Family also have their fair share of peanut butter treats to offer.

If all else fails, you can always go with the classic PB&J. Invite some friends over and rustle yourselves up a couple of treats. Have them with a hot coffee or cold glass of milk. Wallow in the tender embrace of this delectable goober spread. The only wrong way is the peanut butter-less way.