National Peanut Butter Day

Child spreading peanut butter on a slice of bread, with a playful wink, colorful kitchen, joyful morning routine.. — National peanut butter day illustration

Get ready, peanut butter lovers, for a celebration that's bound to stick! Welcoming National Peanut Butter Day, a day dedicated to recognizing one of the most loved pantry staples across the globe. Whether smooth or crunchy, lathered on toast or hidden within a delicious Reese's Cup, peanut butter never fails to delight and surprise!

When is Peanut Butter Day?

It's national peanut butter day on the 24th January.

The Spread of National Peanut Butter Day

National Peanut Butter Day burst onto the scene with a smooth and creamy entrance to the National Day calendar. Our digital detection tools indicate that the Big PB Day, while celebrated annually on 24 January, had a particularly heart-stopping (or should we say, artery-clogging!) moment on 24 Jan 2018 when it received a whopping 16,960 mentions online! Whatever happened that day, peanut butter clearly had the world buzzing.

A Nutty History

Though today we can't imagine a world without peanut butter, it was not until the 1880s that this delightful spread began its journey, credited to Marcellus Gilmore Edson, a Canadian pharmacist. Yet, it was Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (yes, the cereal Kellogg!), who made it a household name by patenting the process of creating peanut butter from raw peanuts. Since then, peanut butter has sandwiched itself into the hearts (and bellies) of many!

Today's Celebration

On National Peanut Butter Day, there's no shortage of ways to celebreate. From whipping up a classic PB&J sandwich, to experimenting with gourmet peanut butter recipes, or even just cracking open a new jar and digging in with a spoon - no one's judging!

A Toast to the High-Flying Nut!

Did you know that Astronaut Allen B. Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon? That's one giant leap for peanuts! Makes you wonder if there might be alien life out there, yearning for a taste of peanut butter.

History behind the term 'Peanut Butter'

1890

The Invention of Peanut Paste

In 1890, an American physician and nutritionist named Dr. John Harvey Kellogg invented a peanut paste for patients who had difficulty chewing meat. This peanut paste was made by milling roasted peanuts, resulting in a smooth, spreadable texture. Dr. Kellogg referred to it as a 'nut butter,' laying the foundation for what would become peanut butter.

1903

The Patenting of Peanut Butter

In 1903, Dr. Ambrose Straub patented a machine for grinding roasted peanuts into a paste-like consistency, which was later used to manufacture peanut butter. This patent marked an essential step in the commercial production of peanut butter, making it more accessible to the public.

1922

The Introduction of Peter Pan Peanut Butter

In 1922, a Pittsburgh-based food company named Swift & Company introduced the first mass-produced peanut butter under the brand name 'Peter Pan.' This marked a significant milestone in popularizing peanut butter and making it available for purchase in grocery stores across the United States. The brand's catchy name and marketing campaigns helped establish peanut butter as a staple in American households.

1928

The Introduction of Skippy Peanut Butter

In 1928, a chemist named Joseph L. Rosefield revolutionized peanut butter by developing a process to prevent the oil separation that often occurred. He called this new creation 'Skippy' peanut butter. By reducing the oil separation, Rosefield improved the texture and made the peanut butter easier to spread. Skippy quickly became one of the most popular brands of peanut butter in the market.

1961

National Peanut Butter Day

In 1961, National Peanut Butter Day was established in the United States to celebrate the beloved spread. This annual observance serves as a reminder of the cultural impact and popularity of peanut butter, as well as an opportunity for people to enjoy their favorite peanut butter treats.