The celebration of National Peanut Butter Day on January 24 has particular local significance. One of the little known facts regarding peanut butter is that the Krema Nut Company, producer of peanut butter and other nut specialties, is located right here in Columbus, Ohio. Benton Black, Krema's founder, produced his first batch of peanut butter in 1908, making Krema the oldest peanut butter company still in operation. Since that time Krema has been satisfying the discriminating tastes of nut lovers across the globe. Jon Krampner in discussing tastes in peanut butter in City Comforts, the Blog, had this to say: “The best crunchy I've found is Krema.”
Krampner, the ultimate peanut butter lover and expert, maintains a fantastic blog: “Creamy and Crunchy,” where readers can find out the latest developments with publication of his forthcoming book Creamy and Crunchy: An Informal History of Peanut Butter, the All-American Food.
The Krema Way:
Having been around for more than 100 years, Krema attributes its success, in part, to the special way in which their peanuts are processed. According to their website
“Our master roaster has been with Krema for over 25 years. Under his watchful eye, Krema nuts are gently roasted in small batches by hand. It is this time-honored tradition that gives Krema nuts their incredible, distinctive flavor. Our creamy and crunchy peanut butter is completely natural--always has been. That means we don't add salt, sugar, or preservatives.”
Nuts in the Bible:
Although peanuts, as plants originating in the Western Hemisphere, are not mentioned in the Bible, there is a reference in Genesis 43:10 to “nuts and almonds” which were among the gifts Israel sent to the magistrate in Egypt who turns out to be his son, Joseph. There is also a reference to a “garden of nuts” in Song of Solomon. The Bible, however, contains several specific references to “almonds.” Among the specialty products manufactured by the Krema Nut Company is almond butter, a personal favorite of mine, since I am allergic to peanuts.
You can click here and take a virtual tour of the Krema Nut Company or go on an actual tour of the facility which Columbus Underground cites as one of the best factory tours in the area.
Click here for the location, directions, hours of operation and further information.
Click below to view a short video clip of Krema's Peanut Butter processing process:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kremapb/6001457991/in/photostream/
Peanut Butter Recipes
You can find peanut butter recipes at http://www.examiner.com/peanut-butter-recipes-in-national
A Musical Peanut Butter Treat:
Krampner’s Creamy and Crunchy website also features a wide array of music with peanuts or peanut butter references, including my all-time favorite: “Peanut Butter” by the Marathons. Click on the video above and take a listen and reminisce.
Here are related articles that may be of interest:
http://www.examiner.com/christian-spirituality-in-columbus/national-peanut-month-a-local-spread
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