PB&J: A Technical Review
Subjecting the ultimate adventure sandwich to the rigors of science.
While hiking in Oregon I had the opportunity to perform some in-the-field testing on the PB&J sandwich. My buddy Jeff donated several PB&Js for free (I never accept payment in exchange for gear reviews) so we dragged them all over Mt. Hood in the name of science.
Here are our findings:
Pros
Cost Per Calorie
According to Business Insider, PB&J is the most cost-effective sandwich out there, coming in at $0.45 per sandwich. With an average of 300 - 500 calories per sandwich, your CPP (Calories Per Penny) ratio is through the roof. PB&J packs a whopping 11 CPP!
For comparison, a chocolate chip Clif Bar clocks in at 2 CPP, Cup of Noodles offers an impressive 6 CPP, and beef jerky a minuscule .28 CPP. When it comes to lunch on a budget, it is nearly impossible to beat a standard edition PB&J.
Nutrition
PB&Js not only pack a decent calorie punch, they deliver just the right balance of nutrients to keep the adventure going.
Jelly provides simple sugars to give you the energy kick you need up front. Whole wheat bread is full of simple and complex carbohydrates, which your body processes at different rates to keep you going. Peanut butter brings an ample serving of protein which keeps you full longer and helps with muscle repair after a long day of activity.
Customization
We would be remiss not to mention the customizable platform the PB&J is built upon. Throw on some chips for an extra crunch. Substitute the standard grape jelly for boysenberry preserves. Experiment with different types of bread.
There are thousands of iterations of the PB&J and, even so, it still somehow works perfectly in its standard factory configuration.
Mouth Feel
PB&Js are that perfect medium between “not too dry” and “not soup”. The inner ingredients help keep the bread hydrated and chewy even in dry alpine conditions. They are hearty enough to be filling but light enough that you can still jog along while munching.
Once again, at the end of the day the mouth feel is completely up to the eater thanks to the customizable PB&J platform. Our samples came with an enjoyable crunch of chunky peanut butter and smoothness of blended jam, but many people prefer smooth peanut butter or heavily-textured fruit preserves.
Feature Rich
Other than the customizability (did we mention the customizable platform already?) here are a few features that stood out to us:
Portability - Weighing in at a feathery 3.5 oz and measuring 5” x 5” x 1”, you will always be able to find space in your bag for one.
Durability - For how soft they are on the palate, PB&J’s can endure some abuse. Ours stayed smashed in a tiny backpack for a 1.5 hour car ride and 3 hour hike. Pro tip: Put peanut butter on each slice to create a protective layer between the jelly and the bread.
Grip - PB&Js have a built-in grippy texture for on-the-go eats in harsh conditions. No more dropping your lunch off the mountain.
Cons
Allergy Risk
Unfortunately, it is not entirely uncommon to be fatally allergic to peanuts. This makes PB&J an outright life threatening experience for some. Approximately 0.6% of the US population has a peanut allergy.
If you’re old enough to read this and aren’t sure whether you have a peanut allergy or not, you probably don’t—but you should ask your doctor just in case.
Stuffability
While otherwise extremely portable, PB&Js are unfortunately non-compressible. Due to their small size, this shouldn’t prove to be an issue in packing, however you will want to avoid storing them near the bottom of a pack or in a stuff sack.
Availability
If you live outside North America, your options may be severely limited. It’s extraordinarily difficult to find peanut butter in vast swaths of Europe, China, and the Middle East. Peanut butter is a vital ingredient in a PB&J sandwich.
The Verdict
Despite the relatively small chance of anaphylaxis and/or cardiac arrest, the PB&J is a big winner in our book. Its inexpensive and calorie-dense open platform leaves the eater full, energetic, and satisfied. With so many customizable options, the PB&J will keep the hungry adventurer coming back for more time and time again.
Perhaps you’ve thrown the PB&J aside in favor of more trendy culinary options—forgotten it in the depths of a childhood lunch box next to the gushers, fruit roll ups, and limited edition purple goldfish.
It’s time you reconsidered and brought the PB&J back onto your standard packing list.