The Right Way To Make A Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich - And The Wrong Way!

The question has sparked a very fun but spirited debate in our household and among our friends and family for well over the last six months - and it all centers around one simple question - what is the right way to make a PB&J Sandwich?

You might be thinking this question has to do with the "perfect ratio" of peanut butter to jelly. Or perhaps about what type of peanut butter and jelly should be used. Nor is it about what bread it has to be on, if the crust should be cut off, or if it should be cut in triangles or straight across.

As good as all of those questions are, none of the above are what sparked the ongoing debate between us. To us, all of the above questions are simply personal preferences. Instead, our little dispute all comes down to a simple question. What is the exact order in which a peanut butter and jelly sandwich should be made?

Hopefully - this little question can be settled once and for all today - by you - our readers!

The Great Debate: The Right Way To Make A PB&J Sandwich - And The Wrong Way!

From time to time, especially during the winter season when gardening topics might not be at the forefront of everyone's mind - we like to write a few articles that go beyond gardening and or cooking.

Knowing that, we decided earlier in the year that when December rolled around, we would deviate from our normal writing schedule to cover the subject that has hilariously consumed us (and now many of our friends and family) since the middle of summer.

Here is how the subject all came about - and the case for why we each think the other is wrong for how they make their sandwich. To keep the fun going, we have left the comments on at the end of the article to hear your take on it as well!

The Story - The Right Way To Make A PB&J Sandwich

It all started innocently enough. I was heading out to do a little work on the farm this summer and needed a quick snack to hold me over till dinner. Of course, it's hard to find a more delicious and quick snack than a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

As I started to lace up my work boots, Mary, being the thoughtful person she is, asked if she could make me one me while I got ready. Let's face it, when it comes right down to it, the only thing better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is having it made for you - right?!

But then I happened to walk in the kitchen while she was making the sandwich - and the great debate was on. You have to understand we agree on almost everything. And even things like this, when we don't, we simply laugh about it. But have we ever laughed a lot about this almost every day since trying to prove the other person's way they make their sandwich is wrong!

The Wrong (Or Maybe Right) Way To Make A PB&J Sandwich

So what happened that day? Well, it went like this:

When I walked in the kitchen, I was completely surprised when I saw the exact order of how she makes her PB&J's. Mary starts by spreading peanut butter on one slice of bread. Certainly all correct up to that point.

But then, and this is where she threw me for a loop, she follows that up by putting the jelly right on top. On the same slice that had already had peanut butter on it. And so I said: "I have never seen a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made that way in my life. It's sooo not the right way to make one."

Well, as anyone knows, you just can't say something like that to your spouse without sparking a conversation. Mary then asked with a smile - "so how do you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Because this is actually the correct way to make it!"

And as anyone also knows, you can't say that to your spouse without sparking a debate either. And so it was that our little quest began to find out who was really right.

The Right (Or Maybe Wrong) Way To Make A PB&J Sandwich

To me, there is simply only one way to make a PB&J. I start with two slices of bread. On the first side, I spread on the peanut butter. Then, I take the knife and clean it completely off by wiping it on the other slice of bread. Then, I put it into the jelly jar and put the jelly on the other side.

As I argued my case, I pointed out that this way, the knife never contaminated the jelly with peanut butter. And in addition, it was far easier to see just how much of ingredient was on each side.

Mary countered with that she thinks it's actually easier to see the ratio when they are together. And as for the contamination, she argued that you can already buy peanut butter and jelly in the same jar - so there is no issue.

One thing is for sure - we have had so many hilarious conversations with everyone we bring up the subject too. And we both never realized there were so many opinions on both sides!

So what do you say? How do you make your peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Do you know the right way to make a PB&J sandwich?

Are you a peanut butter and jelly on the same side person? Or are you a peanut butter on one side and jelly on the other person? Let us know - and if nothing else - we are going to have a lot of fun reading the comments back to each other all day long!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from the both of us. And happy PB&J sandwich making - however you make it! Jim & Mary

Old World Garden Farms

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 16 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.