Amish peanut butter spread is made from just a few simple ingredients – roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. Unlike most commercial peanut butter brands, Amish peanut butter contains no hydrogenated oils, preservatives, or other additives. The simplicity of the ingredients is what gives Amish peanut butter its distinctive flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients found in authentic Amish peanut butter:
- Peanuts – Amish peanut butter is made from dry-roasted peanuts. The peanuts are roasted to enhance their flavor before being ground into peanut butter.
- Sugar – A modest amount of sugar is added to balance the strong peanut flavor. Amish peanut butter contains less added sugar than most commercial brands.
- Salt – A pinch of salt brings out the flavor of the roasted peanuts. The Amish use minimal salt in their recipes.
In addition to these core ingredients, some Amish peanut butter recipes may also include:
- Honey – For a sweeter spread, some Amish producers use honey instead of white sugar.
- Cocoa powder – Adding a touch of cocoa powder creates a chocolate-peanut butter flavor.
However, most traditional Amish peanut butter contains just peanuts, sugar, and salt. Unlike big commercial brands, they avoid adding hydrogenated vegetable oils, palm oil, molasses, and preservatives.
Production Process
Amish peanut butter is produced in small batches using old-fashioned methods.
First, peanuts are roasted to intensify their nutty flavor. The peanuts are roasted in large rotating drums that keep them moving for even heating. After roasting, the peanuts are cooled rapidly to stop the cooking process.
Next, the peanuts are blanched to remove the papery skins. Blanching involves quickly immersing the peanuts in hot water to loosen the skins, which are then rubbed off by hand. Removing the skins prevents a gritty texture in the final peanut butter.
The blanched peanuts then go into a grinder to be ground into peanut butter. Amish producers use heavy granite grindstones powered by hand cranks or electric motors to slowly and evenly grind the peanuts. Granite grindstones crush the peanuts without generating excess heat that could degrade the flavor.
As the peanuts are being ground, sugar and salt are added to taste. The sugar balances the strong peanut flavor, while the salt enhances the roasted peanut notes. Amish peanut butter is usually coarsely ground for a delightfully chunky texture.
The freshly ground peanut butter is then packaged into jars, tubs, or tins. Unlike large factories, Amish facilities fill small batches of peanut butter by hand. The peanut butter is gently stirred before packaging to incorporate the sugar and salt.
Texture and Flavor
The texture and flavor of Amish peanut butter set it apart from conventional commercial brands:
- Coarse and chunky – Amish peanut butter has a delightfully chunky, coarse texture thanks to traditional granite stone grinding. It lacks the ultrasmooth homogenized quality of big brands.
- Rich roasted flavor – Slow roasting over low indirect heat allows the peanuts’ natural flavor to fully develop without scorching. This gives Amish peanut butter intense peanutty notes.
- Pure and simple – With just peanuts, sugar, and salt, the flavors shine through. No oils, molasses, or preservatives mask the real peanuts.
Overall, Amish peanut butter has a pronounced roasted peanut flavor and rich, substantial mouthfeel. Each hand-crafted batch offers a rustic, old-fashioned peanut butter experience.
Varieties
While traditional Amish peanut butter contains just peanuts, sugar, and salt, some producers offer additional flavors:
- Honey peanut butter – Made with honey instead of white sugar for a sweeter, more mellow flavor.
- Vanilla peanut butter – A touch of vanilla extract adds a aromatic vanilla undertone.
- Cinnamon raisin peanut butter – Ground cinnamon and raisins provide a warm spice flavor.
- Chocolate peanut butter – The addition of cocoa powder creates a chocolaty flavor.
Specialty flavors like maple, coconut, and banana may also be produced in small batches. However, plain peanut butter remains the most popular choice.
Storage
Like all natural peanut butters, Amish peanut butter requires proper storage to prevent the oils from separating:
- Store jars upside down if possible. This keeps the oils distributed throughout the peanut butter.
- Refrigerate after opening to extend freshness. The cold from the fridge helps prevent oil separation.
- Stir well before each use to reincorporate any separated oil.
When stored upside down and refrigerated, Amish peanut butter keeps its fresh, creamy texture for 2-3 months after opening.
Where to Buy
There are a few ways to get your hands on authentic Amish peanut butter:
- Direct from Amish country – Many Amish communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other states sell hand-crafted peanut butter at farm stands or stores.
- Online – Several Amish peanut butter companies sell their products online and ship nationwide.
- Specialty retailers – Some gourmet food shops, health food stores, and farmers markets stock Amish-style peanut butters.
When buying online or at specialty shops, look for jars labelled “Amish-style” or “Old World” peanut butter. This indicates it is produced using traditional Amish methods.
Nutrition Facts
Amish peanut butter is high in healthy fats and protein:
| Nutrient | Amount Per 2 Tbsp Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 188 |
| Total Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 73 mg |
| Potassium | 104 mg |
| Carbs | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 8 g |
As you can see, Amish peanut butter provides mostly unsaturated fats, with zero trans fats. It’s also a good source of protein and fiber.
Benefits
Here are some of the top health benefits Amish peanut butter offers:
- Heart healthy fats – The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.
- Fiber – The fiber aids digestion and helps you feel full.
- Protein – The protein supports muscle growth and keeps you feeling energized.
- Antioxidants – Peanuts contain antioxidant compounds like resveratrol that combat cell damage.
- Magnesium – This mineral in peanuts helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar.
Overall, when consumed in moderation, Amish peanut butter provides a nutritious blast of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Conclusion
Amish peanut butter truly is a premium, old-fashioned product. It’s made using just a few simple whole food ingredients like dry-roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. Unlike major commercial brands, it contains no hydrogenated oils, molasses, or preservatives. The chunky texture and deep roasted peanut flavor provide an authentic peanut butter taste experience. Amish peanut butter is hand-crafted in small batches and contains beneficial fats, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Look for jars at Amish country stores, online retailers, or specialty shops to enjoy this wholesome nut butter.