The Rise of Peanut Butter in Britain
In the late 1930s, the renowned American political commentator and peanut butter enthusiast, William F. Buckley Jr., found himself at an English boarding school. His care packages from home often included jars of peanut butter, which he later recounted with a hint of humor, as his British classmates “one after another actually spit out” the sticky substance. This amusing anecdote highlights how foreign this beloved American spread was to the British palate at that time.
Fast forward to 1973, when travel writer Rick Steves embarked on his first European adventure, packing a large plastic tube filled with a delightful combination of peanut butter and strawberry jam. He knew these comforts of home wouldn’t be easily found across the Atlantic.
However, a remarkable transformation has occurred over the past decade. Today, peanut butter has firmly established its presence in Britain and many parts of Europe. For instance, at Waitrose, a popular British grocery chain, shoppers can choose from an impressive selection of 35 different varieties of peanut butter. The options range from creamy to chunky, sweet to salty, and even extra-dark roasted, all packaged in jars, squeeze bottles, and hefty two-pound tubs.
Peanut butter has transcended its traditional use and is now making waves in various culinary creations across the United Kingdom. In upscale eateries, it can be found in shortbread at Hawksmoor, a renowned steakhouse chain; incorporated into tarts at the Greek restaurant Gaia; and layered among 20 sumptuous tiers of chocolate and mascarpone in a viral cake at Lavo, a posh Italian establishment located in affluent Mayfair.
As Jon Krampner, author of Creamy and Crunchy: An Informal History of Peanut Butter, aptly describes it, peanut butter is indeed the “all-American spread” that has successfully crossed the Atlantic. While Britain may not be the first European nation to embrace this sticky delight—the Netherlands actually surpasses even the United States in peanut butter consumption—it stands out as the most recent country where peanut butter has gained significant popularity.
In the last five years, peanut butter sales in Britain have soared, as it has begun to feature prominently in a variety of dishes. From brownies and bakes to burger relishes and even as an unexpected topping for curries and crumpets, peanut butter’s versatility is being celebrated in kitchens and restaurants alike.
