PB&J: Did you know the ever popular peanut butter and jelly sandwich is uniquely American?

The National Peanut Board has a pretty long story featuring the origin of the perennial favorite.

“In 1901, the first peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe appeared in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics written by Julia Davis Chandler. She said to use currant or crab-apple jelly and called the combination delicious and as far as she knew, original.

“Still, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich was an exclusive food, and its popularity among the masses was yet to come. As Grapelade and pre-sliced bread became popular, another breakthrough happened with peanut butter — commercial brands found a way to create creamier peanut butter that didn’t stick to the roof of the mouth so easily. And during the Great Depression of the 1930s, families discovered peanut butter provided a satisfying, high protein, less expensive meal.

“But the major event that took the peanut butter and jelly sandwich over the top in popularity was World War II.”

PB&J were on the U.S. military ration menus in World War II. “Peanut butter was a high-protein, shelf-stable ingredient and easily portable on long marches. Grapelade had already accompanied soldiers in the first world war and added a sweetness to the sandwich. With pre-sliced bread so easy to use, the natural inclination was to combine these three items, and before long the good ol’ PB&J was a part of the American soldier’s life.”

And when the war was over, sales of all three ingredients soared as families discovered the tasty and affordable sandwich.

So instead of saying “it’s as American as apple pie,” which came from England, maybe the saying should be “it’s as American as PB&J.”