If you grew up in America, you’ve likely eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or two in your day. In honor of Memorial Day, I thought I’d pay respect to the soldiers who popularized this snackalicious treat during World War II. Peanut butter actually dates back to the late nineteenth century, when remarkably, it was marketed as a health food due to it’s nutritious qualities and ease of digestion. In the early part of the twentieth century, it was held in high esteem, and was considered a delicacy reserved for the wealthy. It was served in tea houses along side Early Grey tea and cucumber sandwiches. However, it’s short-lived seat on the throne of the “high food” was over when manufacturers of the product wanted to expand it’s appeal.
Manufacturers began adding sugar to peanut butter and it soon became a treat targeted toward children. Needless to say it took off right away. Simultaneously in the late ’20s Gustav Papendick developed a method for slicing loaves of bread and packaging them, thus making it easier for small children to help themselves without having to use a sharp knife or the help of an adult. Peanut butter was a nutritious and inexpensive source of food and with the onset of the Depression, it became a staple in the diet of kids everywhere.
A decade later, when the second World War broke out in 1939, both peanut butter and jelly were on the military rations list. American soldiers began adding jelly to their peanut butter sandwiches in order to make them more palatable. And because peanut butter was a good source of protein, it stayed the course and fed the soldiers for years to come. After the war ended, returning servicemen popularized the PB&J combo and sales of both skyrocketed.
Today, variations of peanut butter and jelly abound! Perhaps you’ve sampled a PBB&H (peanut butter, banana and honey) sandwich. I have and it’s delicious. Or maybe you’re a fan of grilled PB&J’s, when the bread is toasted just so, and the peanut butter is oozing out the sides. Better still, is the invention of the fluffernutter, which uses marshmallow cream in place of jelly. Peanut butter is now available in many forms — crunchy, creamy, low fat, reduced fat and even sugar free. The varieties and combinations are endless, but one thing is for sure, good old peanut butter and jelly will always be an American Classic, whose celebrity is owed to the soldiers who we honor on this Memorial Day.
Clacked by Pia Schiavo-Campo
on May 25, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
