Today, Kevin and I are trying the new JIF Peanut Butter and Chocolate Spread that Courtney kindly sent us. She ordered it from Walmart and mailed it to us. We appreciate her doing that! We also have our regular jar of JIF peanut butter for a comparison since this new spread claims to have 50% less sugar.
When people hear about a peanut butter and chocolate spread, they might expect something sweet like a Reese’s cup. However, JIF’s version boasts 50% less sugar compared to the leading hazelnut spread with cocoa, likely referring to Nutella.
Here are some nutritional comparisons
- JIF Peanut Butter and Chocolate Spread has 200 calories per 2 tablespoons (35g) serving.
- Regular JIF Peanut Butter has 190 calories per 2 tablespoons (33g) serving.
- The new spread contains 15g of fat, while the regular has 16g.
- Sodium content is higher in the chocolate spread with 140mg compared to 85mg in the regular.
- Carbs in the chocolate spread are 13g compared to 8g in the regular.
- Protein content is slightly higher in the chocolate spread with 5g versus 4g in the regular.
Ingredients for the chocolate spread include roasted peanuts, sugar, peanut oil, and cocoa. It contains no artificial preservatives and is gluten-free. The spread is very smooth, reminiscent of other peanut butters like Reese’s or Skippy, but with a lighter texture.
Taste Test
We first tried the spread with a spoon and then on Kevin’s favorite, a Ritz cracker. The spread is not very sweet, almost like cocoa rather than chocolate. It spreads easily and is smooth, making it ideal for sandwiches or crackers. However, if they intended to compete with Nutella, the lower sugar content might be a drawback for those expecting a sweeter taste.
When eaten by itself, the spread’s flavor doesn’t stand out. It has a noticeable peanut butter taste but lacks the sweetness to make it truly enjoyable. On a Ritz cracker, the flavor is enhanced by the cracker’s buttery and salty taste. It would probably pair well with apples or in oatmeal, adding sweetness from other ingredients.
Overall, while the spread isn’t bad, it doesn’t match the flavor profile of sweeter spreads like Nutella. We’d likely stick with Nutella or regular peanut butter for a more satisfying treat. Thanks again to Courtney for sending this to us. We’ll definitely let our family try it too!
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