Prompt Cast
The History and Controversies of Peanut Butter
TLDR Peanut butter, a beloved American food, originated in Canada and was initially considered a food for the poor. It has a complex history, from its modernization by George Washington Carver to the controversies surrounding its safety and health effects.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The hosts discuss their love for peanut butter and their favorite ways to eat it, including on a spoon, with honey, and in sandwiches.
05:09
Peanut butter is considered weird and gross in many countries outside of the United States.
10:06
Peanut butter originated in the United States, but it was actually a Canadian invention, and peanuts are not actually nuts, but legumes that originated in South America and were later introduced to Africa and the rest of the world.
15:03
Peanuts were initially considered a food fit only for the poor, similar to lobster, until George Washington Carver and Benjamin Hicks helped popularize them and modernize peanut farming, leading to an increase in demand for peanuts.
20:04
Marcellus Gilmore Edson patented the first modern peanut butter in 1884, which had a consistency like that of butter, lard, or ointment and sold for about six cents a pound.
25:34
The introduction of hydrogenation was a turning point for peanut butter, allowing for a more stable solid state at room temperature and eliminating the need to stir it up.
31:03
Hydrogenation made peanut butter more stable and less likely to turn rancid, but it also turned the healthy liquid oil into saturated or partially saturated fat.
36:10
GIF is the number one brand of peanut butter and offers 15 different varieties, including almond butter and sunflower butter.
40:57
The FDA established a standard in 1972 that peanut butter must contain at least 90% peanuts, and there are specific requirements for smooth, medium, and crunchy varieties.
46:26
Peanut butter incidents in 2009 and 2007, including a Salmonella outbreak, have raised concerns about the safety of peanut butter, and there is also a potential health risk from a mold called aspergillus that can produce a toxin called aphelotoxins.
51:50
Peanut butter has been linked to certain types of cancer, birth defects, and cognitive disabilities, but peanut butter that is freshly ground and non-hydrogenated can be nutritious and beneficial for heart health.
57:16
The podcast episode ends with a listener expressing gratitude for the show and sharing how it has impacted their life.
Categories:
Society & Culture
