National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
It’s a song. It’s an idiom. It’s one of everyone’s favorite sandwiches: get out your favorite fruit jelly and enjoy the iconic combo of Peanut Butter and Jelly.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day celebrates the most popular sandwich in America! It doesn’t matter whether you like grape, strawberry, orange marmalade, blackberry, or any other form of jelly, the best compliment to them is the amazing and delectable peanut butter!
Peanut Butter and Jelly has become such a popular taste sensation that it can be found in hundreds of different derivations.
How to Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
There are a number of different ways that you can celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Check out a few of these to get started with:
Enjoy a PB&J Sandwich
Of course, the most obvious way to celebrate this day is to make sure that you have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If you take a packed lunch to work or school, you know what the filling needs to be on this day!
Get Creative with Peanut Butter & Jelly
You can also have fun experimenting with different types of peanut butter and jelly. There are so many flavors out there for you to choose from, as well as different textures of peanut butter.
You are bound to find a number of combinations that you have not experienced before, and so National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day gives you the perfect opportunity to explore this classic combination further.
Eat Other PB&J Foods
Peanut butter and jelly isn’t just found in sandwiches either! There’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice cream for those who prefer a cold mix of this treat, it can be found in a special brand of spread called “Goobers” where the Peanut Butter and Jelly come pre-mixed.
Try out some peanut butter and jelly cookies, cakes, even the famous breakfast tart company Pop-tarts has come up with a variety of peanut-butter and jelly sandwich Pop-Tarts.
No matter what your particular taste, you’re bound to find a variety of this delicious mix to suit your palette.
Host a PB&J Day Party!
You could even make a big occasion of it and throw a sampler party. All you need is a range of different peanut kinds of butter and jellies so that people can try out different options.
This is an affordable way to host a party but it is a lot of fun because it is different from the norm. You may also want to get creative and make some baked goods that have been inspired by peanut butter and jelly, as well as ensuring there are some delicious drinks for everyone to enjoy.
Or, if you really want to impress, why not try your hand at making your very own peanut butter or jelly? You will find plenty of different recipes online to follow, so you are bound to find something that appeals to your tastebuds.
Plus, this is a great way to earn a few brownie points while throwing your event!
Learn About National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Is there any combination that is better than peanut butter and jelly? We can’t think of one! This combination has been around for many, many years.
Until the early 1900s, it was only really sold in fancy tea rooms. However, the commercialization of the peanut butter industry meant that peanut butter became more affordable, and now you can find a jar of peanut butter in most homes around the world.
It’s pretty crazy to think that you would have had to put your glad rags on and headed to a fancy tea room to have some peanut butter in the past, isn’t it?
Luckily, those days are gone, and we now celebrate the fact that we can enjoy this tasty treat whenever with National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.
On this day, you can tuck into as many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as your heart desires, and no one can say anything about it! We will personally be having one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Why not? National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is also a good opportunity for you to learn more about this creation, as well as some other innovative recipes that call for both peanut butter and jelly.
History of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Peanut Butter was first invented by the Aztecs, who ground roasted peanuts into a rich nutritious paste. Peanut paste has been used all over the world in many different derivations ever since, being an absolute foundation of many cuisines.
One thing that made this protein and calorie dense food popular is it’s resistance to going off, and the ease with which it could be transported. Combine that with an amazing taste and texture, and it’s no wonder that peanut butter is a world favorite!
It comes in so many different varieties too! Chunky, smooth, natural, salted, unsalted, even premixed with jelly!
Peanut Butter really is an amazing food, and has been used to feed those who haven’t been able to eat ‘solid food’ for one reason or another.
It’s been used for a myriad of snacks, including ants on a log (Celery filled with peanut butter topped with raisins), peanut butter cookies, but it’s most popular derivation by far is the peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches were thought to be invented during the American Civil war, when the men mixed their peanut ration and jelly ration to create a delicious new treat while out on the field.
When the men finally returned from the war, bedraggled and tired, they also brought with them news of this wonderful treat that brought them comfort on the field. Peanut butter and jelly sales soared at the wars end, all thanks to this delightful combination of sweet jelly and smooth peanut butter!
Jelly in this case is the North American version of the word, referring to a special kind of clear fruit preserve that is created from sugar sweetened fruit juice into a gel-like state often utilizing nothing more than the naturally occurring pectin in the fruit.
Sometimes it needs a little help, such as is the case with grapes, who are notoriously low in pectin. None the less, grape is a very popular flavor when mixed with peanut butter, second only to the luscious red strawberry!
There is a veritable rainbow of flavors of jelly available that can be used to help make this snack new every time! Grape, strawberry, blackberry, boysenberry, the possibilities are only limited by the types of fruit you can find!
There are even more exotic flavors, such as hot chile pepper, habanero, even wasabi, and while these aren’t as popular in the United States, there are those who prefer these spicy kicks to the sweetness every jelly brings!
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day FAQs
Did peanut butter and jelly sandwiches play a role in wartime history?
Yes, U.S. soldiers received peanut butter and jelly in their rations during World War II.
They combined these with bread to create the now-classic sandwich, which became a comfort food both during and after the war.
How did the invention of sliced bread impact the popularity of PB&J sandwiches?
The introduction of pre-sliced bread in 1928 made it easier for children to prepare their own sandwiches, contributing to the widespread adoption of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during the Great Depression.
Is there a world record related to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?
Yes, in 2015, the restaurant chain Which Wich set a Guinness World Record by making 39,303 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in one hour.
How do astronauts enjoy peanut butter and jelly in space?
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station make PB&J sandwiches using tortillas to prevent crumbs, with each ingredient secured to prevent them from floating away in microgravity.
What is the origin of the term ‘peanut butter and jelly sandwich’?
The first known reference to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich appeared in a 1901 article by Julia Davis Chandler in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics.
Are there any unusual PB&J flavor combinations?
Yes, some enthusiasts enjoy adding ingredients like bacon, bananas, or even pickles to their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a unique twist.
How has the PB&J sandwich influenced popular culture?
The PB&J sandwich has inspired songs, memes, and even dance routines, highlighting its iconic status in American culture.
Is there a phobia related to peanut butter?
Yes, arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one’s mouth.
How many PB&J sandwiches can be made from an acre of peanuts?
An acre of peanuts can produce enough peanuts to make approximately 35,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Have there been any recent innovations inspired by the PB&J sandwich?
Yes, in December 2024, M&M’s introduced a new peanut butter and jelly flavor, combining a berry-flavored outer shell with a smooth peanut butter center, aiming to evoke the classic sandwich experience.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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