We really wanted to like Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter With Roasted Flaxseeds. Unfortunately, this review was a lesson in not always getting what you want. We wanted to like this peanut butter because it’s a low carb food with lots of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Unfortunately its taste got in the way. We were willing to overlook the remaining oil after minutes of intense stirring. We were willing to overlook having to store this peanut butter in the refrigerator. We just couldn’t get over the taste. Bitter, oily, and grainy is the best way to describe it. The roasted flaxseeds would probably have tasted better raw. Unfortunately, we can’t really recommend this peanut butter. For our money, we’ve not seen anything that can beat Smart Balance Omega Peanut Butter.
That’s a shame too, as each 32 gram serving is really nutrient filled. With each serving you would get 200 calories, 16 grams of fat, no cholesterol, and 55mg of sodium. You would also get a low 2 grams of digestible carbohydrate, including 3 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of protein.
Wow, I love this peanut butter. I didn’t have any trouble with the oil separating after my initial stirring with first use (and keeping it in the fridge since).
Some Omega 3 fortified products taste mildly of salmon to me, but this was all nuttiness.
This is the BEST stuff going! Sure, you have to stir it up the first time you use it, but that’s par for the course for any natural peanut butter (meaning those made with actual peanuts, rather than peanuts and hydrogenated oils, sugars, and junk). Likewise for keeping it in the fridge once opened. I’d much prefer to give it a small spot in my fridge than choke down the chemicals, preservatives, and transfats needed to make a food product last indefinitely at room temperature after opening. And keeping natural peanut butter refrigerated means that once you stir it up the first time, you’re done stirring ’til the jar is empty.
That said, the reason this is such a hot commodity in my house is plain old great taste. It’s crunchy peanut butter with the addition of toasted flaxseeds, adding just a hint of toasted crunchiness to the already yummy pb flavor. I love it in PB&Js along with TJ’s new Organic Superfruit Spread (fruit juice sweetened, with four kinds of fruit). I buy this peanut butter two or three jars at a time, because it’s that good. No graininess, just creamy/crunchy PB goodness. Since the omega 3s are supplied by the flaxseeds, it is vegetarian (vegan), with no hint of fishiness whatsoever. Yum!!
WOW i totally disagree! I absolutely think this is the best tasting peanut butter around. I did not have any of the issues you describe. Im down to my last teaspoon, running out to get more!
Where can I find this???
I have to agree with all of the comments below. Whoever said this needs to try it again. It is absolutely the most incredible peanut butter I have ever had, and I can’t even keep it in the house between my roommates and I… I’m sorry, but live on Trader Joe’s peanut butter!
i don’t know what the problem is. this stuff is like candy without the calories of candy. just put it in the ‘fridge.
Agree with the other commenters, and I don’t even keep it in the fridge after opening. It’s always fine with the initial good stirring and I’ve kept a jar as long as 2 months and it didn’t go rancid or anything. It was only around that long because I was on vacation half the time, I usually go through a jar single handedly in a month. Best PB ever. Make sure to chew well since the flax seeds are whole and you don’t get as much benefit unless the shell breaks…and you might find them reappearing later if the shell doesn’t digest…
I love it. I just tasted it for the first time and I’m actually going to have a friend ship some to me because there is no Trader Joe in my area. Great stuff.
I agree with the other posters that this is the best peanut butter ever. Maybe you had a bad batch. It’s my very picky 5 year old daughter’s absolute favorite peanut butter. That is saying a lot!
A friend told me about this peanut butter this weekend so I ran by TJ’s!! I added a little bit of honey to it and it was the best peanut butter ever!! Thanks for the suggestion Heather!! 🙂
I have hooked several friends and relatives on this. They are still upset that they are hooked. This is the greatest.
I completely disagree here. and have to go with the other commenters. This is the BEST peanut butter i’ve ever had. hands down.
Wow, I love this peanut butter. It tastes real and I know what is in it.
This peanut butter tastes great! Try it on Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Bread toasted.
You must have had a bad batch. This peanut butter is so good I would drive a hundred miles to stock up on twenty pounds of it. Absolutely delicious. The texture of the flaxseeds is the cherry on top.
I totally agree that this is the best peanut butter on the shelf… when you can find it. I have to drive over an hour to purchase.
I’m only parrotting everyone else here, but I, too, agree. This is the best peanut butter! I only discovered it about a month ago, and we have had a jar of Skippy sitting unused ever since; however, we are on our third jar of this. Even my picky 15 year old prefers it. Thanks for reviewing; it’s hard to find low carb stuff, and I do appreciate the review, but I’d try this one again!
Wow, surprised too until I read all the revews loving it as much as I do. Easy tip for natural peanut butter and resulting oil, store in fridge upside down. For new people reading…you got the review vs. about 15 raving comments. Take your pick who you listed to 🙂
I LOVE this peanut butter!!! it is the best I have ever had. I eat it everyday with out fail. The flax seeds are crunchy and the peanut butter texture is great for dipping apples in. This can’t be beat! I agree the initial reviewer must have had a bad batch!