Peter Pan Vs Jif Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is an all American favorite snack food. It is an essential in kids' lunch boxes. And it is a basic staple in most kitchen pantries. And why is its creamy goodness so appealing to us? Could it be because we all remember the PB & Js of our childhoods and find peanut butter a comforting memory of a simpler time?

Peanut butter which was once called peanut paste (how appetizing) has been around for centuries. It has its roots in China, Europe, and Mexico, but it was in the good ole USA that peanut butter got its most popular start. Peanut butter was first sold as a protein supplement for those that couldn't eat meat. It was first patented in 1895 by John Harvey Kellogg. Peanut butter was instrumental in George Washington Carver's scientific research. Carver was considered the father of the peanut industry for his development of 300 uses for peanuts. Peanut butter sky rocketed in popularity after its introduction to the general public at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis MO in 1904.

One of the oldest known brands of peanut butter is Peter Pan. Peter Pan peanut butter was first named E.K. Pond in 1920. Then it was renamed Peter Pan peanut butter in 1928 after the character Peter Pan in the book by J.M. Barrie. The label also bares the imp's roguish likeness.

There are many jingles and catch phrases for Peter Pan peanut butter such as: America's favorite and Eat some peanut butter anytime you can, but only if it's Peter Pan. Peter Pan peanut butter also comes in a variety of choices: crunchy, creamy, honey roasted, reduced fat creamy, reduced fat crunchy, and reduced sugar.

Unfortunately right now Peter Pan peanut butter is most known for the recent salmonella outbreak in February 2007. A leaky roof in a plant in Georgia was found to be the cause of 425 cases of salmonella. This caused a panic nation wide; almost all brands of peanut butter were pulled from the shelves. There was a shortage of peanut butter everywhere this caused ultimate mayhem. Children crying in the streets, looting, and utter chaos, how was America going to get its fix? Okay, maybe not but it was sorely missed. And the differing tastes of off brands in peanut butter where dually noted.

Jif peanut butter a product of J.M. Smucker was introduced in 1958. It was a plain simple brand perfect for the 1950's. Jif's label bares its name on a background of red, blue, and green vertical stripes. Jif peanut butter comes in six different varieties: regular, extra crunchy, simply Jif (low sodium and sugar), reduced fat, reduced fat crunchy, and peanut butter and honey.

Jif's notorious jingle is "Choosy mothers choose Jif" and most recently the more politically correct version, "Choosy moms and dads choose Jif." The jingle implies that Jif is the best choice of peanut butter for your family. During the salmonella outbreak this was proven to be true, because Jif's products were not affected.

Now that we have compared Peter Pan peanut butter versus Jif let me tell you which one I prefer. Drum roll please, its Peter Pan peanut butter! And yes after all the people that got violently ill from the salmonella contamination and the months of recall Peter Pan is still my favorite. We are currently eating Jif due to the recall. But I still miss Peter Pan's sweet goodness. Jif is an okay substitute, but is a bit greasy in my opinion. I find the label nostalgic and the jingle is catchy. But most importantly I prefer its taste. And here is my favorite recipe for peanut butter cookies.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies by my cousin LaVonda Hansen

1 can sweetened condensed milk

¾ cup peanut butter (Peter Pan of course)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups biscuit baking mix

Preheat oven to 350*. In a large mixing bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Add biscuit mix; mix well. Chill at least 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with fork. Bake 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and enjoy.