8 Surprising Facts About Peanut Butter

#6 is a complete shocker!

Peanut butter is undoubtedly one of the most popular spreads across the world. We use it to make yummy sandwiches and even for baking and cooking. However, there are several surprising facts about peanut butter that many people still don’t know about.

Despite its popularity, the origin of peanut butter is still a mystery. After all, there are several individuals claiming they had invented the beloved spread. In addition to that, there are two separate days dedicated to celebrating all things peanut butter. Here are eight interesting facts about peanut butter that you probably didn’t know about.

#1. Who Invented Peanut Butter?

It is believed that the South American Incas would grind peanuts to create something similar to peanut butter. However, it is Dr. John Harvey Kellogg who might be responsible for the sweet treat we know and love.

Kellogg had actually created a peanut paste in an effort to turn his patients into vegetarians. Although the doctor and his brother W.K. Kellogg patented their process in 1895, it was a physician in St. Louis who made it truly popular by allowing a food product company to produce and sell the paste at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

#2. The Two National Peanut Butter Days

How much do Americans love peanut butter? So much that there are two different days dedicated to the sandwich staple.

The National Peanut Butter Day is celebrated every year on January 24. However, you can also celebrate National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day on March 1.

#3. The Most Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwiches Made In One Hour

Students and faculty members of the Temple University in Philadelphia hold the World Record for making thousands of peanut butter sandwiches. In September 2016, the group, made up of 1,350 people, did 49,100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in just one hour.

The good news is the Philadelphia group decided to distribute the sandwiches to 15 different food banks around the state. The previous world record was 39,303 sandwiches.

#4. The Most Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwiches Eaten In One Minute

How many sandwiches can you consume in a minute? Most of us would probably be able to eat one or two. However, Patrick Bertoletti can put away an amazing six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in just one minute.

Bertoletti is an American competitive eater who can obviously take down massive amounts of food in one sitting. In 2012, he took the World Record for consuming six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without any trouble.

#5. Peanut Butter In Space

Like most of us, astronauts love eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They love it so much that they even eat it in outer space.

Unfortunately, bread isn’t a good food option for space travel. Instead, astronauts use tortillas when making their favorite sandwiches.

#6. It Can Be Bad For Dogs

Some pet owners love giving their beloved dogs some peanut butter as a treat. However, too much peanut butter can be dangerous to your pups because of one seemingly harmless ingredient.

Most peanut butter use xylitol, a natural sweetener known for some great health benefits for humans. Unfortunately, xylitol can be deadly for dogs as the sweetener is around 22 times more toxic to them than chocolate. Make sure to check the ingredients in your peanut butter before sharing it with your pooch.

#7. The Peanut Butter Fear

People with peanut allergies tend to be afraid of finding peanut butter in their food. However, there is an oddly specific phobia related to peanut butter.

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of having peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. Symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, shaking, extreme anxiety, panic, inability to articulate words, and a sense of dread.

#8. Can Peanut Butter Turn Into Diamonds?

You’ve probably heard about that impressive trick where people can turn coal into diamonds with the help of some peanut butter. But can peanut butter itself turn into a pricey gem?

According to Dan Frost, it is actually possible. The scientist at Germany’s Bayerisches Geoinstitut theorizes that the carbon in peanut butter can turn into a diamond when exposed to extremely high pressures. Frost managed to prove it but the diamond was destroyed by the release of hydrogen bound to the peanut butter’s carbon.