Once Again Nut Butters – Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

I’m a big peanut butter and jelly fan and often consume it on rides over 40 miles as part of my “on the bike” nutrition. This summer my friend Jenn taught me to make PB&J with sandwich thins and freeze them overnight. On warm summer days the frozen sandwich slowly thaws in your back jersey pocket and is ready for eating by mid ride.

Why eat nut butters, besides the taste? According to WebMD it is high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats that are good for you. Nuts also have plenty of other nutrients like Vitamins E and B6, folic acid, niacin, magnesium, zinc, copper, and potassium. The key is to watch the ingredients on your brand of nut butter, peanut or otherwise. Some have added salt, sugar, preservatives, and unhealthy fats that could do more harm than good.

Once Again reached out to the RBR staff asking if we would review their nut butter products. I wasn’t familiar with them and learned from their web site that the small company is located in upstate New York, employee-owned, and donates to over 100 charities each year. Their annual donations provide assistance to impoverished Americans, disaster victims, and community-support efforts. This company has a conscience and is all about quality and sustainable products.

My sample box arrived a couple weeks ago containing 3 jars:

• unsweetened crunchy peanut butter
• unsweetened & roasted creamy almond butter
• lightly sweetened creamy sunflower seed butter.

From the first spoonful, I could taste the rich delicious flavor, something you don’t get from mainstream brands. Reading the labels of each jar it was great to see zero chemicals or preservatives added.

Shelf life for the nut butters is 12 months from the date of production. Once opened, the company recommends a three-month shelf life. Unlike many nut butters, these do not need to be refrigerated after opening. If you want to refrigerate, the company recommends to first stir the nut butter, then refrigerate so the oil does not separate to the top. I tried the product both with refrigeration and without. Since I prefer room temperature nut butter, mostly for spread ability, I decided to leave them in my cupboard for storage.

You can purchase Once Again nut butters in single packs, jars and larger quantities on their web site or select stores. Enter your zip code to find a store near you.

Unsweetened crunchy peanut butter

Hands down this is the best peanut butter I’ve ever tasted! Huge fan of crunchy style, but for those who prefer creamy you’re in luck, there’s a creamy version. I tested the peanut butter on sandwiches, apples, celery and of course by the spoonful. Just incredibly yummy!!!

The peanut butter is certified organic, just lightly salted (50mg in 2 tablespoons), no preservatives, non-GMO, gluten free, vegan, and Kosher certified.  Peanuts are ethically sourced from Nicaragua, Argentina and the USA.

16oz jar sells for $7.95

Unsweetened & roasted creamy almond butter

The almond butter is available in both creamy and crunchy versions. My sample was creamy. Like the peanut butter it was unsweetened and I definitely didn’t miss the sugar or salt. I just tasted a very rich and wonderful almond flavor. I tried the nut butter in a sandwich and with apples. Both were very tasty and satisfying.

The almond butter is certified organic, no preservatives, gluten free, peanut free, vegan, Kosher, paleo, and keto. Almonds are ethically sourced from Italy, Spain and California.  

16oz jar sells for $20.40

Lightly salted and sweetened sunflower seed butter

The sample I tested was a creamy version because there’s not a crunchy option for the sunflower seed butter. However, there’s a salt free, unsweetened version. While the nut butter was extremely tasty, as if popping a handful of sunflower seeds in my mouth, it wasn’t a flavor I’d personally use in sandwiches. But I’m sure others might feel different. The company lists several recipes on their web site, like granola and cookies, that call for sunflower seed butter which I definitely want to try.

The sunflower seed butter is certified organic, no preservatives, gluten free, peanut free, vegan, Kosher, and non-GMO. Sunflower seeds are ethically sourced from Bulgaria and Romania.

16oz jar sells for $6.78

These are just three samples from the large variety of nut butters Once Again manufactures. Check out their web site for a full listing of products and some tasty RECIPES.