Peanut Butter Around The Globe: Regional Variations Explored
Peanut butter is a beloved staple in many households around the world. While the name and the way it's used may vary from country to country, the creamy and crunchy delight remains the same in its ability to bring comfort and satisfaction. However, what we call “peanut butter” varies from place to place.In this blog, we will take a look at how different countries and regions around the world enjoy peanut butter in their own unique ways and explore what it's called and the most popular items made with it.
Peanut Butter Around The World - What it Called And How is it Used?
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia & Major Parts of the World
Peanut butter sandwiches, smoothies, cookies, energy bars, and even savory sauces. In the USA, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are icons of American snacking. This American invention dates back to the late 19th century and has since become an iconic pantry staple.
Canada, much like the United States, refers to this spread as “peanut butter”. Canadian peanut butter is produced by various brands and comes in an array of flavors, including honey-roasted and maple-infused. It remains a beloved component of Canadian breakfasts and snacks.
Across the pond in the United Kingdom, peanut butter is also simply known as “peanut butter.” British peanut butter tends to have a slightly different texture and flavor, often less sweet than its American counterpart. The UK’s embrace of this spread mirrors the global trend of peanut butter’s growing popularity as a versatile ingredient.
Australia uses the term “peanut butter” and leans towards the creamy variety and is commonly used in sandwiches, baking, and as a base for sauces. It shares its popularity with the Australians’ love for outdoor activities like picnics and barbecues.
South Africa & Ghana: Peanut Paste
Peanut butter is a well loved spread in South Africa. It is also sometimes called “Peanut Paste” in local dialects. South African peanut butter is rich and creamy, usually being used in dishes such as “kota” sandwiches, where it goes with other ingredients to give a satisfying street food experience.
In West Africa, peanut paste forms the base of rich and hearty dishes like Groundnut Stew—a spicy, nutty dish made with vegetables and meats, served with rice or fufu. It's not just a spread, but a foundation of soulful, home-cooked meals.
In Ghana peanut paste has also become popular as a spread on toast, which is made from roasted peanuts. Groundnut remains a key ingredient in many traditional dishes like groundnut soup and nkate cake. Peanut paste brings rich and nutty flavor to Ghanaian cuisine, attesting to the importance of peanuts in the region.
Japan: Peanut Cream
In Japan, peanut butter is called "Peanut Cream". Japan’s peanut butter is usually sweeter, creamier. Usually shows up in sandwiches, cream buns and in dessert fillings. The peanut cream roll cake is one of the most popular treats, a fluffy sponge cake topped with the combination of peanut and cream.
Mexico: Crema de Cacahuate
In Mexico, peanut butter is called “Crema de Cacahuate”, while peanut based sauces like Mole de Cacahuate are traditional and flavorful. Usually, Mexican peanut butter comes with a hint of chili, which gives a bright kick to this favorite spread. This is also used in spicy salsas, dips, or as a creamy component in meat marinades or tacos.
France: Beurre de Cacahuète
In France, peanut butter is called "Beurre de Cacahuète". beurre de cacahuète has evolved to have less sweetness and is the type of French peanut butter that is preferred for baking, such as in peanut butter cookies, and it is used in modern French kitchens and bakeries. You can see it in macarons, croissants, and in fancy gourmet chocolate peanut desserts.
Indonesia: Selai Kacang
Peanut butter is called "Selai Kacang" in Indonesia. Indonesian breakfasts are often served with this spread, and it’s commonly enjoyed on toast or as a filling for sweet buns. In Indonesia, selai kacang is both a sweet and a savory component. Bumbu Kacang is one classic use of it, the peanut sauce that comes with Gado–Gado (mixed vegetable salad), or satay skewers. In addition, it is enjoyed simply spread on warm bread.
China: Hua Sheng Jiang
In China peanut butter is called “Hua Sheng Jiang”. A Chinese take on peanut butter, known as peanut butter or peanut paste (hua sheng jiang) is used in both sweet and savory dishes. The peanut sesame noodles, with chili oil, soy sauce and a bit of sesame paste over hua sheng jiang, is famous for being a treat. Additionally, it is usually used in mooncakes and peanut rice balls.
Thailand: Nam Prik Phao
In Thailand, peanut butter is called "Nam Prik Phao" or "peanut sauce". Nam Prik Phao is a Thai chili paste, which may contain roasted peanuts. It is a key ingredient in sauces served with Thai satay, grilled meats or used as a base for noodle dishes such as pad thai.
Spain: Mantequilla de Cacahuete
Peanut butter is called “Mantequilla de Cacahuete” in Spain. In Spain Mantequilla de Cacahuete is growing in popularity, especially in health conscious and fitness oriented communities. This is usually used in smoothie bowls, protein dense snacks, or as a spread for pan integral (whole grain bread) with fruit. It is also making its way into modern desserts and baking recipes, including peanut butter brownies or energy balls.
Latin America: Mantequilla de Maní
In Argentina peanut butter is called “Mantequilla de Maní”. In Argentina, Colombia and Peru, mantequilla de maní is used both in sweet and savoury dishes. It is a favorite in licuados (blended fruit drinks), sandwiches and traditional snacks. It is also sometimes used in some regions to add richness to sauces for meats and vegetables.
Arab States: Zubdat Al-Ful Al-Sudani
Peanut butter is called “Zubdat Al-Ful Al-Sudani” in the Arab State. As a spread and part of many sweets, peanut butter is eaten in many Middle Eastern kitchens. Look in date filled pastries, energy balls with honey and tahini, or otherwise swirled into halva style sweets. Traditional cooks add spices to it so it can be blended with spices to form savory dips or sauces served with bread and grilled meats.
South Korea: Ttangkong Beoteo
Peanut butter is called “Ttangkong Beoteo” in South Korea. Ttangkong Beoteo is often eaten on toast in South Korea, often with sweetened condensed milk or jam for a popular coffee shop item. Korean Style are used in sandwich and filling also some fusion dishes like peanut butter tteok (rice cakes) and peanut butter ramen, the viral comfort food twist of Korean noodle with cream nuttiness.
Norway: Peanøttsmør
Peanut butter is called “Parenøttsmør” in Norway. Parenøttsmør is enjoyed by both children and adults in Norway and is especially poplular when used as a breakfast or snack spread. It is most often used on knekkebrød (crispbread) or toast, and may be eaten with bananas or jams. It’s not a traditional Norwegian ingredient, but has become a pantry staple, especially in health-conscious or American influenced households.
Poland: Maslo Orzechowe
Peanut butter is called “Maslo orzechowe” in Poland. Maslo orzechowe is a kind of fat that has become popular in Poland as part of modern breakfasts and snacks. It is usually spread on rye bread or toast, added to oatmeal, or mixed into protein shakes. As well as in baking ciasta (cakes) and batony energetyczne (energy bars) for an energy and tasty boost, peanut butter is also used.
Romania: Unt de Arahide
Peanut butter is called “Unt de Arahide” in Romania. Unt de arahide is becoming a favorite in Romania and especially popular in urban areas and amongst health conscious eaters. Breakfast dishes, protein smoothies, peanut butter cookies or bars are all commonly used where this is typically used. In fact, some of the local cafés are even serving it in crepes accompanied with banana slices and honey for a fusion treat.
Russia: Arakhisovoye Maslo
Peanut butter is called “Arakhisovoye Maslo” in Russian. Arakhisovoye Maslo is not a traditional staple of Russian cuisine, but it is growing in acceptance, especially in health food circles. Protein packed smoothies and laced in baked goods, such as muffins and cookies, is also popular as a spread on dark rye bread. It may also be found in modern café desserts or homemade granola bars.
Germany: Erdnussbutter
Peanut butter is called “Erdnussbutter” in Germany. Erdnussbutter is becoming more and more popular especially among the younger generations and fitness enthusiasts in Germany. Breakfast bowls, protein snacks and, for instance, Erbnussbutter Kekse (peanut butter cookies) are often recipes where people use them. Additionally, it is a delicious spread on Brötchen (bread rolls) with jam or honey.
Italy: Burro di Arachidi
Peanut butter is called “Burro di Arachidi” in Italy. Burro di arachidi is not a traditional part of the Italian kitchen but has become more of a staple of modern Italian cuisine in the homes of younger generations and fitness fanatics. You will find it very often in protein dense breakfast bowls, in baked goods like crostate (tarts), or on biscotti. In fact, some of the Italian chefs also try to use it in gelato to have it with a creamy, nutty flavor.
Netherlands: Pindakaas
Peanut butter is called “Pindakaas” in the Netherlands. Pindakaas is a favorite Dutch breakfast or lunch spread enjoyed on buttered bread or toast (topped with slices of cheese or cucumber sometimes). Indonesia’s influence on Dutch cuisine means the Dutch also enjoy using it in satay sauces for chicken skewers or stir fry noodles.
Portugal & Brazil: Manteiga de Amendoim
Peanut butter is called “Manteiga de Amendoim” in Portugal. Manteiga de amendoim is usually eaten as a spread on either toast or pão francês (crusty bread rolls) in Brazil and Portugal. It is also used in desserts in Brazil like brigadeiros with peanut butter, biscoitos (cookies), and vitaminas (fruit milkshakes). Peanut butter and chocolate is especially popular in sweets and candies.
Sweden: Jordnötssmör
Peanut butter is called “Jordnötssmör” in Sweden. Jordnötssmör is enjoyed as a spread on crisp bread (knäckebröd), in baking recipes such as peanut butter cookies or peanut-filled chocolate balls, and in new, fashionable, health products, like smoothie bowls and protein snacks. Appearing increasingly popular with fitness and wellness diets, it has become.
Turkey: Fistik Ezmesi
Peanut butter is called “Fistik Ezmesi” in Turkey. Fistik ezmesi is usually a smooth, sweetened peanut paste consumed for breakfast or as a snack in Turkey. The latter, pedigreed for bread, crackers, or as tahini (tahin) mixed with tahin fistik ezmesi, is a rich and nutty tahin-fistik ezmesi karisimi. Modern Turkish desserts such as peanut filled baklava and peanut cookies contain it as well.
Ukraine: Arahisove Maslo
Peanut butter is called “Arahisove Maslo” in Ukraine. Arahisove Maslo is growing in popularity in Ukraine, especially among those who are health conscious and young people. People love eating it on rye bread, mixing it into porridge (kasha), using it in protein smoothies, or as a healthier baking ingredient like in peanut butter oatmeal cookies or energy bars with seeds and dried fruits.
Conclusion
Peanut butter is a versatile and much-loved ingredient across the globe. While its name and uses may vary, one thing is certain: peanut butter brings people together through its rich, nutty flavor, whether it's slathered on bread, mixed into savory stews, or incorporated into sweet treats. So, next time you dig into a jar of peanut butter, think about how it is enjoyed in other parts of the world—and perhaps try one of these unique, delicious recipes from around the globe!
