If the old adage “you are what you eat” were somehow proven true, then throughout my adolescence I was a peanut butter sandwich masquerading as a person. Like many young children, this cheap, no-nonsense meal was a staple of my diet and my main source of nutrition (unfortunately).

As I got older, my affinity for the humble sandwich never went away. However, as my palate expanded and my desire to eat healthier became more fervent, my sandwich preferences changed. My Skippy peanut butter with marshmallow fluff and grape jelly on white bread (hello, blood sugar spike) became Teddie all-natural peanut butter with reduced sugar jelly on whole wheat.

I still have an affinity for the sticky nostalgia of peanut butter. But with so many new nut butters on the market, why would I limit myself to what’s familiar? Enter a trip to Whole Foods.

Wander into any specialty grocer or well-stocked supermarket, and you’ll be faced with an impressive assortment of nut and seed butters ranging from almond to cashew to pistachio. Each brings a distinct flavor profile and a cache of nutritional benefits unique to the nut or seed it was made from.

Among the abundance of producers jarring up creamy purees of plant matter is 88 Acres, a Massachusetts-based company specializing in creative, seed-based products.

88 Acres abstains from using any of the eight most common food allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, dairy, soy, wheat) in any of their energy bars, seed-based granola or seed butters. Additionally, all of their butters are certified organic.

The most intriguing item in the 88 Acres catalog is made from a product you may not have known was edible: watermelon seeds.

Watermelon seed butter is a rare find, likely because most people are probably turned off by the idea of crunching on the black remnants of a juicy, bright pink watermelon. 88 Acres sells it in both 14 ounce jars and petite, 33 gram packages for anyone hesitant about committing themselves to nearly a pound of the stuff.

So is roasted watermelon seed butter worth eating?

Flavor

The ingredients list is very straightforward: Roasted watermelon seeds, powdered sugar, sunflower oil and sea salt. The process of roasting a nut or seed enhances the flavor, which is why so many recipes call for oven-roasting (or toasting) nuts before using them. Check the back of any jar of peanut butter or almond butter, and you’ll find that the first ingredient is almost always roasted nuts as opposed to raw nuts.

Pureed watermelon seeds have a flavor that most resembles tahini, that pureed sesame seed spread used in hummus and other Middle-Eastern specialties.

Much like tahini, watermelon seed butter has a rich, toasty flavor that can be a bit assertive on its own. Therefore, it should be applied in moderation when spread on toast, crackers or vegetables.

The main difference between the two is that, unlike tahini, this product has added powdered sugar used to tame the nuttiness and add a bit of sweetness. This pinch of sugar helps to mellow out the butter’s intensity, but it feels a bit out of place since the seeds themselves are so savory. 7/10

Texture

Dipping a knife into the package is all it takes to realize that this seed butter is far smoother and creamier than any peanut butter you’ve ever had.

Whereas most products like this require some effort to scoop up with a spoon or knife due to their thick consistency, watermelon seed butter is almost thin enough to pour straight out of the package.

Unlike all-natural peanut and almond butters, watermelon seed butter is perfectly homogeneous and only mildly grainy, with no specks leftover from the grinding process. It’s just a lovely off-white emulsion that almost resembles the icing used to embellish scones.

These qualities make for a spread that’s dreamy when spread on toast. The butter takes on a velvety richness when in contact with the just-heated bread. It nearly resembles actual whipped butter. 8.5/10

Versatility

Watermelon seed butter, while not low calorie, is vegan, gluten free and free of cholesterol. The nutrient content is impressive; it’s high in magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron and copper. Plus, the protein content is on par with peanut butter.

Much like tahini, the nuttiness of watermelon seed butter can be welcome in both savory and sweet applications.

It’s very good simply spread on toast or crackers. Add some herbs, lemon and olive oil, and you’ve got a bold salad dressing and sauce that pairs nicely with carrots and bitter greens. It’s also an excellent addition to hummus. 88 acres makes an unsweetened version that’s especially appropriate for these uses.

Even with the addition of sugar, the inherent savoriness of this butter means that it needs to be used sparingly in sweets. It pairs quite well with bananas, so it’s a valuable addition to banana bread. Adding it to granola or cookies helps to balance the sweetness and add complexity.

The 88 Acres website is an excellent resource for anyone at a loss of what to do with their fourteen ounce jar. Visit the page on their blog that features 12 ways to use the product when in need of inspiration. 8/10

Overall Enjoyment

The unadulterated flavor of watermelon seed butter can be overpowering when first tasted, but the complexity of it grew on me, especially when used as a carbohydrate companion or mix-in.

The quality and healthfulness of the product cannot be denied, and its versatility is on par with peanut butter. When used judiciously, it’s equally pleasing as a salad dressing as it is in granola.

Watermelon seed butter may have to wait a bit before it becomes next big thing in the world of pureed snacks. However, the folks at 88 Acres are spreading awareness of this lusciously spreadable spread. They may prove to be pioneers in this seed revolution. 7.5/10

Overall Enjoyment: 31/40

To learn more about 88 Acres products, visit their website, https://88acres.com/

References:

https://88acres.com/products/roasted-watermelon-seed-butter

https://88acres.com/blogs/news/12-ways-to-use-watermelon-seed-butter