National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, also known as National PB&J Day. It is a classic American childhood food that we can't resist even as adults.
An improbable but irresistible combination, nothing complements peanut butter as well as jelly or jam, whether you like strawberry, grape, blackberry, or any other kind.
PB&J's have been around for many years, and are one of the most popular sandwiches in America, with the average American having eaten around 1500 PB&J's by the time they finish high school.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day History
The origins of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day are unknown, but it comes as no surprise that somebody thought this classic sandwich deserves a whole day in its honor.
PB&J Creator
Julia Davis Chandler is credited with creating what we now know as the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in 1901. Chandler's recipe has been published in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics. The recipe called for three layers of bread, one layer of peanut butter, and one of currant jelly.
Peanut butter was introduced at the Chicago World's Fair in 1883 and was originally considered to be a delicacy to be enjoyed by the higher classes. It was sold in New York city’s finest tea rooms. It used to be paired with savory foods like cheese, saltines, celery, and watercress. It was in 1896 that a recipe in Good Housekeeping magazine first urged people to try spreading peanut butter on bread.
As the production of peanut butter increased, the prices dropped, making it more accessible to all classes. In the 1920s, the invention of sliced bread revolutionized not only the world but also American children's school lunches and snacks. It allowed them to easily make their sandwiches. And the big favorite was the PB&J! A classic that remains popular even today.
In fact, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are so loved in the United States, that it has been on the US Army's military ration list since World War II.
PB&Js are very easy to make. In fact, many people have their own variations of it. Some like to have crunchy peanut butter, or proper fruit instead of jam, such as berries, whereas others like to add bananas to their PB&J. You can also find recipes for grilled PB&J's or PB&J French toast, and there are even PB&J cookies!
Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Relieve your childhood by making yourself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich just like the ones you used to eat. A great bit of nostalgia.
You can also try something new, and look up different PB&J recipes that you can make, such as French toast, cupcakes, cookies, and, pancakes. You are sure to find something to please you!
Keep up a great American tradition by making your children a PB&J to take to school, or pack some up to take on a picnic or road trip.
Interesting facts
- As per a study conducted by Prepared Foods, Americans supposedly eat around 1500 PB&Js before the age of eighteen.
- The popularity of PB&J further increased after the invention of sliced bread.
- PB&Js are also considered quite healthy! It has a good amount of healthy fats, protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
- Former President George W. Bush admitted that PB&J was his favorite sandwich.
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