Whoever first thought of the dark chocolate peanut butter combination was, of course, a genius. Both the peanut and the cacao tree originated in South America, maybe the combination was inevitable. But, it wasn't until the early 20th century that chocolate and peanut butter were combined. Now there are many different ways to enjoy the unique mix of dark chocolate and peanut butter.
Just like the cacao tree, the peanut is native to South America. And, like cacao, early explorers brought the peanut back to Europe, and it soon spread to the rest of the world. Every culture that has made use of the peanut has sometimes used pastes of ground or crushed peanuts. But these were nothing like the peanut butter we know today.
Modern peanut butter was developed in the 1890s as a meat substitute. It was actually created by grinding the peanuts in a meat grinder. The Kelloggs, of later cereal fame, patented a "Process of Preparing Nut Meal" in 1895. Peanut butter gained in popularity following its introduction at the 1904 World's Fair, and really took off after a process for making shelf-stable peanut butter was invented in 1922.
The Peanut Butter Cup
Also in the 1920s, H.B. Reese introduced the Peanut Butter Cup, and the rest is history. Peanut butter cups with dark chocolate are much more recent, with Reese's (now owned by Hershey's) Dark Peanut Butter Cup only introduced in 2004. But aren't we glad they did?
The peanut butter cup is the form in which you are most likely to find the dark chocolate with peanut butter combination, either in bulk, or in limited productions by smaller manufacterers. You can also find sugar free, organic, and vegan varieties. Here is a good selection of peanut butter cups.
Other Forms
Dark chocolate and peanut butter can also be found in other forms, such as bon bons and peanut butter-filled dark chocolate balls, like these.
Chocolate Gecko Peanut Butter Cups
All natural peanut butter cups sweetened with white chocolate truffle ganache. The perfect balance of salty, sweet, savory, crunchy, and silky. Available in Milk or Dark Belgian chocolate. (Pick the dark!)
Shipping: Ships to many locations in North and South America, and Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Special arrangements for other destinations may be possible.
Ococoa Classic Peanut Butter Collection
This collection features 9 pieces of Classic Peanut Butter Cup, dark chocolate cups filled with creamy organic peanut butter blended with dark chocolate and topped with Hawaiian 'Alaea sea salt.
Shipping: Ships to many locations in North and South America, and Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Special arrangements for other destinations may be possible.
Newman's Own Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Organic peanut butter meets organic chocolate, resulting in Newman's Own Organics Peanut Butter Cups.
1.2 oz package,
24 package case, $35.05
Shipping: Ships to US addresses.
Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups
Smooth peanut butter covered with a delicious rich sugar free dark chocolate.
Shipping: Ships to US addresses. Warm Weather: Recommends Ice Pack shipping, expedited shipping, Monday through Wednesday shipping.
Coco Delice Peanut Butter Bonbons
A special blend of creamy organic peanut butter and mini dark chocolate chips, along with a hint of salt, all wrapped in a dark chocolate shell. If you like peanut butter, we guarantee that you will not want to share these with anyone!
Shipping: Ships to many locations in North and South America, and Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Special arrangements for other destinations may be possible.
Smith Organic Chocolates Peanut Butter Balls
A "homemade" peanut butter center is dipped in dark chocolate, then topped with crushed organic peanuts.
Shipping: Ships to many locations in North and South America, and Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Special arrangements for other destinations may be possible.
Choclatique Chocolate Peanut Butter Drinking Mix
Award-winning Dutch processed dark and milk ground chocolate and the finest lightly roasted U.S. grown Virginia peanuts, lightly flavored with Tahitian vanilla and Hawaiian-grown cane sugar.
Shipping: Ships to many locations in North and South America, and Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Special arrangements for other destinations may be possible.
Top Photo, www.blisstree.com
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