Oh So Natural Wholefoods Smooth Peanut Butter

Rating: 3/10

• 🥜 Category: Peanut, Smooth, Plain
• Country of origin: Australia (I think - this is an Aldi brand)

Nope! While the texture is passable for a natural peanut butter, that's about the only positive thing I can say. It tastes like a mouthful of peanut oil with barely any actual peanut flavour coming through. Natural sweetness from the peanuts? Absent. The lack of salt (intentional) doesn't help. So... why bother?

If you're looking for a natural peanut butter, there are better options out there - save your $3.39.

Santa Cruz Organic Dark Roasted Creamy Peanut Butter

Rating: 6/10

• 🥜 Category: Peanut, Smooth, Plain
• Country of origin: USA
• Serving suggestion: Add a pinch of salt and use it anywhere you'd use a dark roasted PB

I wanted to like this one more. Dark roasted peanut butter is usually my jam (pun absolutely intended), but this one's giving "talented but directionless". The deep, roasty, toasty notes are there, but they're performing solo when it's not really meant to be a one-note show. To put it plainly - it needs more salt. It's like they got halfway through the recipe and forgot the supporting cast.

The texture is giving "wannabe diva" - needs frequent mixing to keep it together. The peanuts themselves are giving "fresh-faced understudy" - they don't taste like they've been forgotten in the back of the pantry. But without enough salt to amplify the flavours, it's just... there. A perfectly fine performer that never quite gets its moment to shine.

A sprinkle of salt would probably bump this up a little, but I'm reviewing what's in the jar, not what could have been.

CB's 2 Ingredient Sea Salted Peanut Butter

Rating: 7/10

• 🥜 Category: Peanut, Smooth, Plain
• Country of origin: USA
• Serving suggestion: Your everyday toast companion, or anywhere you want that classic roasted peanut flavor

A Washington local! Sometimes you don't have to be extra to be likeable (note to self). CB's keeps it minimal with just two ingredients and for the most part, it works.

The texture here is quite nice - thick and substantial without being difficult to work with. Not a crazy amount of oil separation drama (a welcome break from my usual natural peanut butter adventures), just a smooth, consistent spread that behaves. It's the kind of texture that makes for easy spreading onto a slice of toast.

Flavour-wise, it reminds me of good quality roasted peanuts - the kind you might get as a bar snack at a hotel bar. The salt level is well-balanced, complementing rather than competing with the natural nuttiness. While it doesn't have the complexity or depth of some darker roasted options in my collection, it's a reliable choice that delivers what it promises: straightforward peanut butter satisfaction.

Is it particularly memorable? Nah. But it's the kind of jar you'll find yourself reaching for regularly, not because it's exciting, but because it works. Think of it as the sensible shoes of the peanut butter world - not the ones you show off about, but the ones you wear quite often. A solid and dependable choice.

Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Peanut Butter

Rating: 6/10

• 🥜 Category: Peanut, Smooth, Plain
• Country of origin: USA
• Serving suggestion: Baking projects and sauces where you need a thinner consistency and don't mind a thwacking of salt

Let's talk about this budget-friendly find from Trader Joe's - certainly a bargain at USD2.49, I didn't hesitate to grab this off the shelf and shove it into my suitcase to take back from my last trip to the States.

First impressions: pretty colour! Isn't quite the deep, dark roast I swoon at, but still easy on the eyes. Made with unblanched peanuts (which just means they kept their skins on for grinding), this spread definitely leans into the "ultra-spreadable" category.

The consistency is thin and oily. Really thin. Like, "don't try to spread this on soft bread unless you want a structural disaster" thin. While some might appreciate how easily it flows, I find myself wishing for something with a bit more body. The salt level is also dialed up past where it needs to be, which limits its versatility as a straight-up spread.

However! This isn't a total loss - that thin consistency and punchy hit of salt actually make it shine in specific applications. Need a smooth peanut butter to make some satay sauce for your meal prep friendly baked chicken because it's shredding season (wow, is this an extremely targeted ad)? This one's got your back, no extra oil or salt needed. Want to swirl some nutty goodness into your baked oat batter? Here's your budget-friendly solution. It's found its niche as a supporting player rather than a solo act.

An "it's fine" on the peanut butter spectrum. For the price point I'd say it's an acceptable pantry backup if you're planning to use a 'natural' style peanut butter in recipes rather than straight on your morning toast.