One on side, you have peanut butter—spreadable [1], creamy goodness made from the world’s most famous legume. On the other side, you have Nutella, a hazelnut cocoa spread imported straight from Italy. Put the two sides together, and you have heaven on Earth.
While we wish these two bread spreads could stay happily together forever, we must decide which will come out on top, which you’d pick if you were stranded [2] on a deserted island, and which is the best. First, peanut butter.
Peanut butter is the general name for a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It is mixed with sweet and savory [3] ingredients during manufacturing that give peanut butter its iconic taste. Many companies produce peanut butter and different versions of it, such as creamy, crunchy, and natural, that come with different flavors, textures, and ingredients, such as extra protein or less sugar.
Peanut butter is nutrient-rich, meaning it contains healthy vitamins, minerals, and a blend of micro- and macronutrients that your body needs to function. All of this healthy goodness can be applied to a variety of bread, crackers, and toasts, and combined to make delicious snacks (especially the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, perhaps the most celebrated sandwich of all time).
Next, we have Nutella, which, unlike peanut butter, is the name of a specific brand of hazelnut cocoa spread. Nutella is an Italian company that started producing its famous product in the 1960s (though other companies also make hazelnut spreads). Nutella is a popular addition to pancakes, waffles, and toast, and also pairs well with various fruits.
Nutella is not as healthy as peanut butter, as it contains more sugar, less protein, and more unhealthy fats. Still, it’s incredibly tasty and a staple in any sweet tooth’s pantry.
Which do you prefer, peanut butter or Nutella? Could you live without one or the other?