Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

We are still in the month of February. This time of year seems to move at a glacial pace. Short days, cold weather, and dark winter skies do not assist with the enthusiasm I find myself lacking mid-winter. However, as I keep attempting to eat well and drink hot tea, I have been on the lookout for a soy free, sweet way to cheer myself up from the “blahs.”

One way I like to treat myself without feeling too guilty is by pairing my indulgence with a healthy partner. Yesterday, it was +Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams with a side of fresh, Fuji apple. The chocolate satisfied my sweet tooth, and the apple was fresh. In my book, that is a win-win scenario.

Previously, I wrote about my experience with another Peanut Butter & Co. product, White Chocolate Wonderful. The peanut butter and white chocolate spread performed well in the Sans Soy test, but did its dark chocolate sibling fare the same?

Product: Peanut Butter& Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

Quality: The peanut butter has a consistency that is thick and velvety. A chocolate aroma with peanut undertones quickly fills the air once the jar is opened. As previously noted with the white chocolate spread, this butter does involve extra effort to smear on bread. Unlike more common peanut butter brands, the ground peanuts and oil do not separate to create an unsightly top layer when initially opening the jar.

Taste: Peanuts are detected in this spread, after all, it is peanut butter. However, the shining star is the chocolate. Ever so sweet, and slightly bitter, the chocolate enables the spread to be sweet without rotting teeth. A faint taste of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

Price: One jar of the dark chocolate peanut butter costs $6.00 from the Peanut Butter & Co. online store.

Overall grade: B+. I enjoyed the pairing of dark chocolate with peanut butter. The consistency, even being thick, was easy to blanket my apple slices without fear of slipping off. Also, it would be delicious topping a banana. In line with organic nut butters found at health food stores, the price is reasonable. But, this is not a product made with organic ingredients, which would be an addition I would happily enjoy.

P.S. The Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich at the Peanut Butter& Co. NYC Sandwich Shop looks delicious. A sandwich made with dark chocolate peanut butter, cherry jam, and shredded coconuts? Yes, please! 

Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Wonderful

When I grocery shop I try to be organized. I attempt to plan ahead and make lists. But, when I enter the doors of my local grocery store, I become a marketer's dream as catchy advertisements and labels distract my well-organized intentions from reaching their final destination. Hence, I rarely come home with all of the items I meant to buy and a few newbies have appeared in my shopping cart. That is how I ended up discovering a new peanut butter brand: Peanut Butter & Co.

Based out of New York City, Peanut Butter & Co. has a slew of different peanut butter flavor from which to choose, all made without soy! Yipee! Less than ten total, natural ingredients compose the nut butter, one of which is an emulsifier that is derived from sunflowers. The particular flavor I picked up is a combination of white chocolate and peanut butter. Sounds interesting and decadent, right? Let's see how +Peanut Butter & Co.  White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter performed in the Sans Soy test.

Product: Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Wonderful

Quality: My first impression is how smooth is the peanut butter. The consistency resembles common peanut butter brands like Jif and Skippy. Nevertheless, the spread is thicker than the latter peanut butters, and would require some light elbow grease and attention to spread evenly on a piece of bread such as white Wonder slices.

Taste: A strong peanut butter taste with a decadent underlying flavor from the white chocolate is present. The white chocolate taste is not overpowering, but exerts enough oomph to notify the eater that it is sweet, buttery and means business. I appreciate the fact that it is not too sweet, and would be delicious smeared on a banana or an apple slice.

Price: At six dollars a jar, this is on the pricey side of peanut butters.

Overall grade: B. The peanut butter was very smooth, but it was thick. I liked, but not loved, the white chocolate flavor, however, this is personal preference. I would like to taste other flavors; The Bee's Knees, Mighty Maple and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl look tempting.