Peanut Butter vs. Jam: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 4, 2023
"Peanut Butter" is a spread made from ground peanuts, often smooth or crunchy, while "Jam" is a preserve made from whole fruit and sugar, usually spreadable.
Key Differences
"Peanut Butter" is a popular spread derived from roasted and ground peanuts that provides a creamy or chunky texture and is often used in sandwiches, particularly paired with jelly or "Jam," which is made by cooking down fruit and sugar to a thick, sweet spread.
Nutritional content is another area where "Peanut Butter" and "Jam" differ significantly. "Peanut Butter" is high in protein and healthy fats, making it a filling food that can be part of a balanced diet. In contrast, "Jam" is high in sugars and carbohydrates, with a lower nutritional density but a sweet taste that complements many dishes.
In terms of consistency, "Peanut Butter" can be either smooth or crunchy, depending on whether it retains peanut pieces. "Jam," however, typically has a gel-like consistency, achieved through the pectin in the fruit combined with sugar, and may contain chunks of fruit.
"Peanut Butter" often requires stirring before use, as the natural oils can separate on standing, whereas "Jam" is generally homogenous and doesn't separate due to the high sugar content that acts as a preservative.
Both "Peanut Butter" and "Jam" have cultural significance in American cuisine, notably in the classic PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) sandwich. The combination of the creamy or chunky "Peanut Butter" with the sweet, fruity "Jam" creates a beloved taste sensation enjoyed by many.
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Comparison Chart
Base Ingredient
Peanuts
Fruit
Texture
Creamy or crunchy
Spreadable, gel-like
Nutritional Content
High in protein and healthy fats
High in sugars and carbohydrates
Consistency
Can separate; may need stirring
Homogenous, doesn't separate
Common Use
In sandwiches, cooking, baking
As a spread, in desserts
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Peanut Butter and Jam Definitions
Peanut Butter
A pantry staple in American households.
No household pantry is complete without a jar of Peanut Butter.
Jam
A preserve made from whole fruit and sugar.
She had toast with strawberry Jam for breakfast.
Peanut Butter
A spread made from ground peanuts.
He slathered Peanut Butter on his toast for breakfast.
Jam
A versatile dessert ingredient.
The chef used apricot Jam to glaze the pastries.
Peanut Butter
A creamy or chunky food paste.
She prefers chunky Peanut Butter for its added texture.
Jam
To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position
Jammed the cork in the bottle.
Peanut Butter
A versatile ingredient in savory and sweet dishes.
He made a spicy Peanut Butter sauce for the chicken skewers.
Jam
To activate or apply (a brake) suddenly. Often used with on
Jammed the brakes on.
Peanut Butter
A high-protein spread derived from legumes.
Athletes often include Peanut Butter in their diet for protein.
Jam
To cause to become unworkable because a part is stuck
The wrinkled paper jammed the copying machine.
Jam
To cause (moving parts, for example) to lock into an unworkable position
Jammed the typewriter keys.
Jam
To pack (items, for example) to excess; cram
Jammed my clothes into the suitcase.
Jam
To fill (a container or space) to overflowing
I jammed the suitcase with clothes. Fans jammed the hallway after the concert.
Jam
To block, congest, or clog
A drain that was jammed by debris.
Jam
To crush or bruise
Jam a finger.
Jam
(Electronics) To interfere with or prevent the clear reception of (broadcast signals) by electronic means.
Jam
(Baseball) To throw an inside pitch to (a batter), especially to prevent the batter from hitting the ball with the thicker part of the bat.
Jam
To become wedged or stuck
The coin jammed in the slot.
Jam
To become locked or stuck in an unworkable position
The computer keyboard jammed.
Jam
To force one's way into or through a limited space
We all jammed into the elevator.
Jam
(Music) To participate in a jam session.
Jam
(Basketball) To make a dunk shot.
Jam
The act of jamming or the condition of being jammed.
Jam
A crush or congestion of people or things in a limited space
A traffic jam.
Jam
A trying situation.
Jam
See jam session.
Jam
A preserve made from whole fruit boiled to a pulp with sugar.
Jam
A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts.
Jam
(countable) A difficult situation.
Jam
(countable) A blockage, congestion, or immobilization.
A traffic jam caused us to miss the game's first period.
A jam of logs in a river
Jam
An informal, impromptu performance or rehearsal.
Jam
A song; a track.
Jam
An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
We came up with some new ideas at the game jam.
Jam
That which one particularly prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about.
Teaching is my jam.
Jam
A difficult situation for a pitcher or defending team.
The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
Jam
A forceful dunk.
Jam
A play during which points can be scored.
Toughie scored four points in that jam.
Jam
Any of several maneuvers requiring wedging of an extremity into a tight space.
I used a whole series of fist and foot jams in that crack.
Jam
(AU) The tree Acacia acuminata, with fruity-smelling hard timber.
Jam
Luck.
He's got more jam than Waitrose.
Jam
Balls, bollocks, courage, machismo
I don't think he has the jam.
Jam
(slang) Sexual relations or the contemplation of them.
Jam
(dated) A kind of frock for children.
Jam
To get something stuck, often (though not necessarily) in a confined space.
My foot got jammed in a gap between the rocks.
Her poor little baby toe got jammed in the door.
I jammed the top knuckle of my ring finger.
Jam
To brusquely force something into a space; to cram, to squeeze.
They temporarily stopped the gas tank leak by jamming a piece of taffy into the hole.
The rush-hour train was jammed with commuters.
Jam
To render something unable to move.
Jam
To cause congestion or blockage. Often used with "up".
A single accident can jam the roads for hours.
Jam
To block or confuse a radio or radar signal by transmitting a more-powerful signal on the same frequency.
The government jams foreign propaganda broadcasts.
The airstrike suffered minimal casualties because electronic-warfare aircraft were jamming the enemy air-defense radars.
Jam
(baseball) To throw a pitch at or near the batter's hands.
Jones was jammed by the pitch.
Jam
(basketball) To dunk.
Jam
(music) To play music (especially improvisation as a group, or an informal unrehearsed session).
Jam
To injure a finger or toe by sudden compression of the digit's tip.
When he tripped on the step he jammed his toe.
Jam
(roller derby) To attempt to score points.
Toughie jammed four times in the second period.
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
Jam
To give up on a date or some other joint endeavour; to stand up, chicken out, jam out.
Jam
A kind of frock for children.
Jam
See Jamb.
Jam
A mass of people or objects crowded together; also, the pressure from a crowd; a crush; as, a jam in a street; a jam of logs in a river.
Jam
An injury caused by jamming.
Jam
A difficult situation; as, he got himself into a jam.
Jam
A preserve of fruit boiled with sugar and water; also called jelly; as, raspberry jam; currant jam; grape jam.
Jam
To press into a close or tight position; to crowd; to squeeze; to wedge in; to cram; as, rock fans jammed the theater for the concert.
The ship . . . jammed in between two rocks.
Jam
To crush or bruise; as, to jam a finger in the crack of a door.
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
Jam
To block or obstruct by packing too much (people or objects) into; as, shoppers jammed the aisles during the fire sale.
Jam
To interfere with (a radio signal) by sending other signals of the same or nearby frequency; as, the Soviets jammed Radio Free Europe broadcasts for years during the cold war.
Jam
To cause to become nonfunctional by putting something in that blocks the movement of a part or parts; as, he jammed the drawer by putting in too many loose papers; he jammed the lock by trying to pick it.
Jam
To become stuck so as not to function; as, the copier jammed again.
Jam
To play an instrument in a jam session.
Jam
To crowd together; - usually used with together or in; as, fifty people jammed into a conference room designed for twenty.
Jam
Preserve of crushed fruit
Jam
Informal terms for a difficult situation;
He got into a terrible fix
He made a muddle of his marriage
Jam
A dense crowd of people
Jam
Deliberate radiation or reflection of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of disrupting enemy use of electronic devices or systems
Jam
Press tightly together or cram;
The crowd packed the auditorium
Jam
Push down forcibly;
The driver jammed the brake pedal to the floor
Jam
Crush or bruise;
Jam a toe
Jam
Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals;
Jam the Voice of America
Block the signals emitted by this station
Jam
Get stuck and immobilized;
The mechanism jammed
Jam
Crowd or pack to capacity;
The theater was jampacked
Jam
Block passage through;
Obstruct the path
Jam
A sweet, spreadable condiment.
He found the Jam's sweetness perfectly balanced the scones.
Jam
A thick, pectin-set, fruit-based product.
She made homemade Jam using fresh berries from her garden.
Jam
A long-lasting food item due to high sugar content.
They stored the Jam in the pantry to use throughout the year.
FAQs
What is the main ingredient in "Peanut Butter"?
Roasted and ground peanuts.
Does "Peanut Butter" have health benefits?
Yes, it's high in protein and contains healthy fats.
Can "Jam" be made from any type of fruit?
Most fruits, yes, especially those high in pectin.
How long can "Jam" be preserved?
It can last for several months or even years if unopened and stored properly.
Is "Peanut Butter" vegan?
Yes, it's made from peanuts, making it suitable for vegans.
Why does oil sometimes collect on top of "Peanut Butter"?
Natural oils from the peanuts separate over time.
Is "Jam" the same as jelly?
No, jelly is made from fruit juice and sugar, while jam contains whole fruit pieces.
What's the difference between "Jam" and preserves?
Preserves contain larger chunks of fruit compared to jam.
How is "Jam" typically used?
As a spread on bread or toast and as a filling in pastries.
Can diabetics eat "Jam"?
They should opt for sugar-free or low-sugar varieties.
Does "Jam" contain a lot of sugar?
Yes, sugar is a primary ingredient in traditional jam recipes.
Can you be allergic to "Peanut Butter"?
Yes, peanut allergies are common and can be severe.
Does "Peanut Butter" need to be refrigerated?
Not necessary, but it can extend freshness.
Can dogs eat "Peanut Butter"?
Yes, but ensure it doesn't contain xylitol, a harmful sweetener.
Can "Peanut Butter" go bad?
Yes, check for off smells, taste, or mold.
Is "Peanut Butter" good for weight loss?
In moderation, its high protein content can aid in satiety.
Is "Peanut Butter" gluten-free?
Naturally, yes, but check labels for specific brands.
Are there seedless "Jam" varieties?
Yes, some jams are made without seeds for smoother texture.
How is "Jam" made?
By cooking fruit, sugar, and sometimes pectin until thickened.
Is "Jam" keto-friendly?
Traditional jam is high in sugar, so not typically.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
