Panic Buying

I'm not sure from whence this particular product came but it may have been a consequence of panic buying.

I can assure you that we have not been perpetrators of this shameful behaviour which has reared its ugly and anti-social head in the current pandemic crisis.

Its inclusion in what I emphasise has always been our once monthly grocery home delivery has evidently been forced upon our regular Supermarket as other brands and goods have been stripped off the shelves.

So that is how we came to be the recipients of something called Peanut Butter Powder.

My first reaction was, I must admit, more why? than what? or How?

It is a product that falls into that category of being wholly unnecessary when the thing it is trying to emulate- in this case good old, original Peanut Butter- is in my opinion and always has been the closest thing to perfection.

Many of us will still remember the TV advertisements for SunPat and that very catchy jingle of it being suitable for "the whole brigade" or being so very Peanutricious.

Growing up as one of five children it was a matter of sibling rivalry to be the first to write your initials into the top of a freshly opened jar. That was enough of a moral victory and perhaps even more pleasurable than being the first of our clan to actually sneak a spoonful or knife edge of the stuff when no-one was around.

There must however have been a reason behind the development of Peanut Butter Powder.

The labelling on our acquisition champions High Protein and 80% less fat when compared to leading peanut butter brands.

These attributes are clearly part of the unique selling points amongst those on medical or ethically based food regimes. Under this latter category comes, of course, those committed to a Vegan lifestyle. Having done a bit of research on PBP it does appear to have some good applications such as being easily absorbed into smoothies, oatmeal and in baked products. That is a distinct advantage over normal peanut butter which as we all know can be globular, insoluble and gritty.

Personally I am of that age when snacking gleefully on original peanut butter means that there is a price to pay afterwards of having to prise residue out of my back teeth.

The adage of "a little bit of what you fancy does you good" does apply as although of high fat content the good old peanut butter actually has the monounsaturated version which has benefits for blood cholesterol levels and therefore helping to reduce the risk of heart disease. There is some evidence to suggest benefits for those susceptible to type 2 diabetes.

So, in conclusion I can see that Peanut Butter Powder has some practical applications in a busy and trendy modern lifestyle but beyond that, frankly, I feel it comes into the same category as cookie dough,  a five bird roast, pre-packaged chopped onions and cheese shaped into string.

What next I wonder?

That dehydrated water needs a bit more consumer research for sure.