Bonnie: The Bite of the Best team has been talking about featuring Justin’s nut butters for sometime now. We sampled and always liked them, but couldn’t decide which: plain, honey or chocolate. (They also have a maple almond, which didn’t tickle my fancy!) To add to the confusion, I like the peanut butter, Bryan the hazelnut butter and Eric the almond butter.

So this time, instead of selecting one to feature, we’re doing all three. We like not only the flavor of these but the portability of the individual portions in both a 1.5-ounce (all three flavors) and 0.5-ounce (peanut and almond) size – perfect to keep with you when traveling and hunger strikes. (Of course, you’ll also need an apple or some whole grain crackers, too.) The smaller portions are only 80 calories each. For eating at home, Justin’s offers 16-ounce jars.

Justin’s makes its butters in small batches, using ingredients “as locally and sustainable as possible.” The nut butters are certified kosher.

And I’d like to let all you chocolate lovers know that a 2-tablespoon serving of Justin’s chocolate peanut butter contains 30 fewer calories and 3 grams less fat than the classic PB!

Bryan: I’m sorry, but I have to get the silliness out of the way. We’re talking about nut butters today and I just can’t keep a straight face. We don’t have to get R-rated here to smile, so let’s not even veer down that road, but c’mon, Nut Butters. Say that 10 times fast and tell me you’re not laughing. OK, got it out of your system? Me neither, but let’s move on anyway.

We’ve been indoctrinated with the peanut! As funny as nut butter sounds, nobody is laughing at peanut butter. Somehow, this legume has hijacked our nut-butter consciousness and it’s not even a nut! Well peanuts, Justin’s Nut Butter is out to correct this. One day, your kids might even ask you for a nut butter and jelly sandwich. Try not to laugh at them.

OK, so there are peanuts, too. I mean, how can you call your company Justin’s Nut Butter and not make peanut butter? It would be a crime. Thankfully, actual nuts (almonds and hazelnuts) make up the remainder of the lineup at Justin’s. Then they add the flavor!

The chocolate almond, peanut and hazelnut flavors are all amazingly addictive. That’s the only flavoring to get a crack at all three “nuts,” and the compliment is well received by the chocolate, made from organic cocoa powder and organic cocoa butter and organic sugar. Classic peanut and almond butters are each great on their own, but are definitely further heightened by a delectable smathering of honey. If honey or chocolate aren’t your style, maple gets a solo crack at almonds, somehow overlooking what would seem to me as a marvelous pairing: honey and hazelnuts. Well, I guess you can’t have everything; they did miss the schnozzberry almonds too.

Like any good line, Justin’s has options. Buy your nut butter by the jar (448g) the pack (32g) or even by the 80-calorie serving (14g). I’m telling you, your old lunch room snack of peanut butter and apple slices just got taken to a whole new level. Try maple almond and pears… there is no turning back.

Eric: Peanut butter is a staple in my house; even more so than bread, as I usually go straight to the PB jar with a spoon. While growing up I was aware that other nut butters existed (I can still remember my father grinding his own butters at the local natural foods store) but I never dabbled in anything but the almighty peanut. Justin’s Nut Butters helped to remind me that there is an amazing portfolio to the nut family, each with defined characteristics.

My recent favorite is the almond (in both whole and butter form). The almost grainy feel on the tongue combined with the smokiness and earthy flavors, create an unparalleled profile — a simply unique product. Add to that a drizzle of honey, or a dollop of cocoa powder and you now have a sweet, healthy treat designed for a whole range of ages.

The fact that Justin’s also packages its nut butters in squeezable 1.5-oz portions means that due to portability, nut butters will likely become part of your daily routine….