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As creamy peanut butters go, most of our panelists were certain that they could pick their favorites from a blind test. But some of their loyalties changed after a sample of a dozen varieties.
All 12 peanut butters were purchased at local grocery stores. A few brands were naturally creamy and did not contain the trans fats that produce an extra-smooth texture. The natural peanut butters had to be stirred quite a bit before they reached the consistency to spread.
The winning peanut butter was Reese's brand ($2.39), with a total of 69 points from our judges. The best score any brand could receive was 80. Judges considered taste and appearance and how likely they would be to buy the product.
Reese's, in a jar with a label resembling the peanut butter cup candy, had great texture, sweet flavor and nice color, according to the panelists.
"Pass the Ritz crackers," said one judge.
Three panelists said they would purchase the peanut butter, but the judge who liked Reese's the best said he wouldn't dare bring it home because of the name.
"It just screams unhealthy," he said.
Two other peanut butter brands got high marks as well, tying for second place. They were Albertson's brand ($1.79) and Skippy ($1.99).
Albertson's store brand was applauded for its color and texture. Skippy "had everything I like in a peanut butter," said one judge.
The panelists pointed to the combination of sweet and salty tastes in Skippy. Skippy also comes in a convenient tube and can be squirted directly on a cracker without any mess.
One panelist was sure he could pick his favorite: Jif. He was right.
"It's the Beluga of peanut butter," he said.
Jif came in third with 46.5 points for flavor, color and texture. "It's the peanut butter I grew up with," said one judge. Other brands tested were: Publix ($1.89), Smuckers ($2.59), Laura Scudders ($2.50), Country Crock ($1.99), Peter Pan ($1.69), Arrowhead Mills ($4,29), Kash n' Karry ($1.99) and Publix fresh-ground from the deli ($1.47).
None of the panelists were familiar with Country Crock peanut butter. It comes in a tub similar to the buttery spread of the same brand.
The two least favorites were the natural, less sugary peanut butters from Laura Scudders and Arrowhead Mills, receiving 8 and 26 points respectively. Both were described as bland and watery.
Panelists were Nan Jensen, home economist with Pinellas County Family and Consumer Sciences; Ernest Hooper, St. Petersburg Times columnist; Harry Galloway, professional pianist and student at the Tampa Bay Cooking Academy; and Jim Yockey, aesthetician, Tierra Verde Salon and Day Spa. All products were tasted blind.
Send suggestions for product testing to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or e-mail them to krieta@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line.