Differences between Peanut Butter and Jam
There are different kinds of spreads you can use to eat your flour-made foods. These condiments are also used to enhance the flavor of your foods, particularly bread and pastries.
Butter can be made from different foods, usually dairy products, but it can also be made from peanuts.
Therefore, peanut butter and jam are both popular today, and I would like to point out some key differences between these two spreads.
Hey, these differences do not give the gecko joke explanation of How I met your mother!
Components
Peanut butter is usually made from roasted peanuts, hence the name, and not just butter. However, it may have other ingredients like sugar, oil, and salt for consistency, taste, and flavor.
Although butter made from dairy products contains high fat, peanut butter also has healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, and is high in calories.
While Jam is produced from fruits that have been cooked with sugar and pectin to create a thick, spreadable consistency.
Jam has a fruity and sweet taste because it’s made from fruits and sugar. It is high in carbs and also offers some antioxidants and vitamins from the fruits.
Texture
Peanut butter has a creamy or chunky texture. Most varieties have a thick and smooth texture and can be relatively solid at room temperature. It is however easy to spread after exposing it to air in a few seconds.
Also, jam is usually smooth and thick in consistency, but some products may contain fruit pieces or seeds to give it a chunky texture.
Flavor
Peanut butter has a nutty, savory flavor while Jam has a fruity flavor. Both peanut butter with added sugar and Jam also have a sweet flavor depending on the type of sugar or fruits used.
Peanut butter also has a buttery flavor with a hint of saltiness if salt is added to it.
How they are used
Both peanut butter and jam can be used as a spread for sandwiches, toast, and pastries, and as a filling for baked foods.
Peanut butter is also commonly used as a spread on bread, crackers, and in cooking, and frying, adding richness and flavor to various dishes.
Jam is similarly used in recipes for savory dishes or desserts, and also as a filling for pastries, cakes, and cookies.
Peanut butter blends well with eggs, vegetables, and meats while Jam is often enjoyed with cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and pancakes.
Reactions
Peanut butter can trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to peanuts while Jam is usually not causing allergic reactions.
If you’re allergic to a particular fruit, you can check the label of the Jam before buying to be sure such fruit is not used in making the jam. You can easily opt for other varieties.
Differences between Other Spreads
Butter, Jam, and Jelly are the 3 most popular spreads you would find in any food grocery store. However, some spreads are worth mentioning.
Jelly
Jelly is also made from fruit juice like jam. It has added sugar, pectin, and others, but smoother than jam as it typically does not contain fruit pieces.
Jelly is a sweet spread that goes with peanut butter sandwiches.
Marmalade
Marmalade is not just made from fruits but specifically citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, lemons, etc.
It’s not as smoothy as peanut butter but rather chunky because the fruit peel and pulp are often added. This also explains the reason it’s usually more bitter than other spreads.
People use it on their bread, toast, or as a glaze for meats.
Preserves
Preserves and jam are similar in texture but chunkier than jam. Preserves have a thick texture with visible fruit pieces.
It’s a mix of using jam on your food and eating fruit bites.
Nutella
Nutella is a spread made from Hazelnut, cocoa, palm oil, and milk powder.
It has a creamy and smooth texture and a chocolate hazelnut flavor.