Selects: How Peanut Butter Works

Peanut butter originated as a simple paste in ancient South American cultures, but its modern iteration emerged in the 19th century through the contributions of inventors like Marcellus Gilmore Edson and Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. While initially viewed as a low-cost food for the poor or livestock, the product gained widespread popularity following the introduction of mechanical harvesting and the industrialization of the peanut industry. The 1970s marked a turning point when the FDA established a legal standard requiring peanut butter to contain at least 90% peanuts, effectively curbing the use of excessive additives. Beyond its culinary versatility, peanut butter remains a significant cultural staple in the United States, despite ongoing debates regarding its health profile, the rise of peanut allergies, and the persistent, albeit minor, fear of it sticking to the roof of one's mouth.