Does the Kirkland organic come in crunchy? It is just peanuts and salt. I also keep mine in the fridge, which helps with the separation (store it upside down for a day or two,, stir it up, then refrig)

I've been a natural peanut butter fanatic since 1972 or so, when friends introduced me to a wholesale peanut butter source where they ground it and gave it to you in a seven pound can. Commercial peanut butter is too sweet and the taste is off, not really peanutty.

To deal with the stirring issue: use your electric mixer. If you have the kind with twin beaters, just use one, leave the other one out. Insert into the jar, mix, on high if necessary, until the oil is mixed in. Very simple and quick. Refrigerate, and it will not need mixing again.

I used to buy Real brand peanut butter, sold refrigerated. More recently I've bought Smuckers-- a little stiff, I think. When I shop at Whole Foods, I've been buying Santa Cruz, which I like because they sell a light roast and a dark roast, and I love peanuts roasted dark. I'll try the fresh ground at WF though, based on everyone's recommendation.

I also adore toasted almond butter, I believe I buy the WF brand.

I am really liking Smooth Operator from Peanut Butter & Co. (a New York outfit, best as I can tell) lately. I first found it at Paulina Market, but have since gotten it at Whole Foods also.

When you refrigerate it, it doesn't harden like some peanut butters, but stays smooth, soft, and easy to spoon out of the jar. I like the taste--just salty and sweet enough without detracting from the peanuttiness. (I don't have a jar in front of me to check the ingredients.) I am hoping the smooth spreadability/spoonability of Smooth Operator even when cold isn't a sign that it contains some evil ingredient, but I don't think it does.

riddlemay wrote:I am really liking Smooth Operator from Peanut Butter & Co. (a New York outfit, best as I can tell) lately. I first found it at Paulina Market, but have since gotten it at Whole Foods also.

When you refrigerate it, it doesn't harden like some peanut butters, but stays smooth, soft, and easy to spoon out of the jar. I like the taste--just salty and sweet enough without detracting from the peanuttiness. (I don't have a jar in front of me to check the ingredients.) I am hoping the smooth spreadability/spoonability of Smooth Operator even when cold isn't a sign that it contains some evil ingredient, but I don't think it does.

I've had this peanut butter before and recall looking at the ingredient list. I believe the spreadability is due to the inclusion of palm oil (which also keeps the oils from separating out); there are no evil ingredients (unless you consider palm oil evil) -- I believe just peanuts, salt, the palm oil, and some cane sugar/evaporated cane juice.