Peanut Butter vs. Jam — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 18, 2023
Peanut butter is a spread made from ground peanuts, while jam is a spread made from crushed fruits and sugar, often with added pectin.
Difference Between Peanut Butter and Jam
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Peanut butter and jam are two popular spreads with distinct ingredients and flavors. Peanut butter is primarily made by grinding peanuts into a creamy or crunchy paste. This spread is often rich in protein and fats, offering a nutty and savory taste that many people enjoy on sandwiches, baked goods, or even straight from the jar.
Jam, in contrast, is created by combining crushed fruits with sugar, and sometimes pectin, to achieve a sweet and fruity consistency. The fruits used can range from strawberries and blueberries to exotic choices like guava or passion fruit. Jam preserves the flavors of these fruits and often has a thick, yet spreadable texture.
When it comes to culinary uses, peanut butter and jam can sometimes be paired together, most notably in the classic PB&J sandwich. This combination offers a balance between the savory depth of peanut butter and the sweet tanginess of jam. However, both can stand alone in numerous recipes, showcasing their unique flavor profiles.
In terms of nutritional benefits, peanut butter offers proteins, healthy fats, and certain vitamins and minerals. Jam, depending on its composition, can provide the vitamins and minerals associated with its fruit base but often comes with higher sugar content. Recognizing the differences between peanut butter and jam can help individuals make informed choices about their dietary preferences.
Comparison Chart
Main Ingredient
Ground peanuts.
Crushed fruits and sugar.
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Taste & Texture
Nutty, creamy or crunchy.
Sweet, fruity, and spreadable.
Nutritional Content
High in protein and fats.
Often high in sugars and fruit-derived vitamins.
Common Uses
Sandwiches, baking, smoothies.
Sandwiches, toast, pastries.
Preparation
Grinding peanuts.
Cooking fruit with sugar, sometimes with added pectin.
Compare with Definitions
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter has a savory, nutty flavor.
The cookies had a distinct peanut butter taste that was delightful.
Jam
Jam is a fruity spread.
She topped her scones with strawberry jam.
Peanut Butter
It's a source of protein and healthy fats.
Athletes often consume peanut butter for its protein content.
Jam
It's made from crushed fruits and sugar.
Blueberry jam is made from crushed blueberries and sugar.
Peanut Butter
It's made from ground peanuts.
The primary ingredient in peanut butter is roasted peanuts.
Jam
Jam often has a thick consistency.
The jam was so thick it clung to the knife.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be chunky or smooth.
He preferred chunky peanut butter for the added texture.
Jam
It's a sweet spread with varied flavors.
Each fruit gives the jam a unique flavor profile.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a creamy spread.
She spread peanut butter generously on her toast.
Jam
Jam may contain added pectin for thickness.
The jam set perfectly, thanks to the added pectin.
Jam
To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position
Jammed the cork in the bottle.
Jam
To activate or apply (a brake) suddenly. Often used with on
Jammed the brakes on.
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
(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
Common Curiosities
Is jam always sweet?
Jam is generally sweet due to the added sugar, but its fruitiness can vary.
How is jam typically made?
Jam is made by combining crushed fruits with sugar and sometimes added pectin.
What is peanut butter made from?
Peanut butter is made primarily from ground peanuts.
Which has more protein, peanut butter or jam?
Peanut butter typically has more protein than jam.
Can peanut butter help with weight gain?
Peanut butter is calorie-dense, so it can be part of a diet plan for weight gain.
Can you eat peanut butter and jam together?
Yes, they're often paired together in a PB&J sandwich.
Is jam the same as jelly?
No, jam has crushed fruit pieces, while jelly is made from fruit juice and is clearer.
Are there different types of peanut butter?
Yes, including creamy, chunky, and variants with added flavors or ingredients.
Is jam gluten-free?
Most jams are gluten-free, but always check the label to be sure.
Can peanut butter be used in baking?
Yes, peanut butter is commonly used in cookies, brownies, and other baked goods.
Can I make homemade jam?
Absolutely, homemade jam is made by cooking fruit with sugar and possibly pectin.
Which is more popular, peanut butter or jam?
Popularity varies by region, but in the U.S., peanut butter is highly popular, especially in PB&J sandwiches.
Which lasts longer, peanut butter or jam?
Both have decent shelf lives, but unopened peanut butter can often last longer than jam without refrigeration.
Does peanut butter have healthy fats?
Yes, peanut butter contains monounsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy.
Do all jams have the same consistency?
No, the consistency of jam can vary based on the fruit used and the amount of pectin added.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
