You Might Not Recognize The Oldest Peanut Butter Company In The US

It's no secret that peanut butter, whether crunchy or smooth, is a powerhouse pantry staple; its nutty richness makes it a perfect partner to bananas, chocolate, and other flavorful components while its creamy and dense texture makes it a great substitute for eggs in baked goods. What's more, peanut butter has been embedded into the culinary landscape and history of the United States for well over a century with origins dating back to the 1890's.

Only a few years after Dr. George Washington Carver cemented himself as the father of the peanut industry by coming up with hundreds of innovative uses for peanuts, the Krema Products Company was born. Based in Ohio and originally known as The American Refining Company, Krema Products Company started selling peanut butter in 1908 and hasn't stopped since. Now recognized by the name Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter, Krema Products Company has gone through changes over the years but still retains its reputation as the oldest peanut butter company in the United States.

In 1988, when Krema Products Company was not making much profit, it was purchased by Richard Sonksen. After a few years, the company was revitalized and Sonksen purchased a second peanut butter company, Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter, in Pennsylvania. Once the business passed to his daughter, Kimmi Sonksen, the companies consolidated under the name Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter. 

Despite the changes in name and ownership, one thing has remained the same over the past century: Peanuts are the only ingredient. Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter is carried by a variety of retailers, but if you are hunting down a jar for yourself, avoid shopping at Aldi. Should you find a jar of this all-natural peanut butter, be sure to store it in the best way possible: upside down.