Nut butter has evolved far beyond the simple, salty spreads found in supermarket aisles. Today, a new wave of “gourmet” nut butters is treating spreads like fine confectionery, using high-end ingredients and complex flavor profiles to target food enthusiasts. Big Spoon Roasters is a prominent player in this movement, moving away from basic peanut butter toward artisanal blends that incorporate spices, espresso, and even international curry profiles.
We put several of their standout varieties to the test to see if these premium price points deliver on their flavor promises.
The Dessert-Inspired Collection
For those looking for a decadent treat, Big Spoon offers several flavors that mimic well-known desserts without the heavy sugar load of traditional sweets.
- Pistachio Brownie Almond Butter ($17.99 / 13 oz): Inspired by the recent “Dubai chocolate” trend, this blend features a deep cocoa flavor designed to mimic fudgy brownie batter. It is heavily textured with generous chunks of pistachio, balanced by coconut nectar, vanilla, and Jacobsen sea salt.
- Carrot Cake Almond & Walnut Butter ($15.99 / 13 oz): This flavor captures the essence of the classic dessert through a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It relies on maple syrup for sweetness, providing a profile that some testers noted felt similar to cookie butter.
- Lemon Cookie Cashew Butter ($15.99 / 13 oz): Described as “spring in a jar,” this is a bright, tart option. It focuses on fresh lemon zest and includes coconut pieces for texture, offering a unique, non-traditional profile for the nut butter category.
Caffeine and Crunch: The Bold Profiles
Beyond sweets, the brand offers more sophisticated, savory, or caffeine-infused options that function as both snacks and culinary ingredients.
- Vanilla Latte Almond Butter ($16.99 / 13 oz): Utilizing Madcap Eureka espresso, this spread delivers a bold coffee punch with a hint of caffeine. The addition of maple syrup and vanilla gives it a creamy quality reminiscent of coffee ice cream.
- Pistachio Crunch Almond Butter ($16.99 / 13 oz): A standout for those who prefer a rich, creamy base, this version features a heavy almond foundation balanced by maple syrup and salt, packed with hearty pistachio pieces for significant crunch.
- Lum Lum Thai Curry Peanut & Cashew Butter ($15.99 / 13 oz): This is the most adventurous offering in the lineup. It is a savory, chunky spread featuring paprika, chiles, garlic, lemongrass, and galangal. It provides a smoky, lingering heat similar to Massaman curry and is best utilized as a component in noodle dishes or dipping sauces.
Ethical Sourcing and Brand Mission
What distinguishes Big Spoon Roasters from many competitors is their commitment to ingredient integrity and social responsibility.
A notable example is their Lum Lum Thai Curry spread, which is produced in collaboration with the Carolina Tiger Rescue. A portion of the proceeds supports awareness regarding the palm oil industry—a major driver of wildlife habitat loss. This intersection of culinary innovation and ethical consumerism is a growing trend in the premium food sector, where buyers increasingly demand transparency regarding how their food impacts the environment.
Conclusion: Big Spoon Roasters successfully pushes the boundaries of the nut butter category by treating spreads as complex culinary experiences. While they carry a premium price tag, their use of high-quality spices, artisanal coffee, and ethical partnerships justifies the cost for adventurous eaters.
