Press - Big Spoon Roasters

That Nut Butter Bar You're Obsessed With Is Easy to Make at Home

September 10, 2019

Inspired by the nut butter bars we love from Big Spoon Roasters, this just-sweet-enough, chewy-but-firm bar is bound together by peanut butter and honey.

10 Deliciously Addictive Craft Nut Butters

August 22, 2019

Unlike many big brands that have added sugar, oils and preservatives, however, a new crop of companies is producing craft nut (and nut-free) butters using only the best ingredients.

Must-Watch Food and Beverage Makers in Every U.S. State

July 10, 2019

Companies across the country are constantly and creatively changing how we find, share, and eat our food. This is our list of must-watch makers.

Big Spoon Roasters - All Natural, Handcrafted Nut Butters

June 3, 2019

Big Spoon Roasters is a brand specializing in handmade nut butters and other nutty products, all produced from natural ingredients in safe and sustainable ways.

I Hate Myself for Spending $14 on Peanut Butter, But Dammit, Big Spoon Roasters Owns Me

April 2, 2019

Basically, this is the chunky peanut butter equivalent of fairies and cloudless 74° days and rainbows, but like…the indie, small-batch version of those things (the fairies definitely wear naturally dyed linen jumpsuits).

This PB&J Of The Month Subscription From Big Spoon Roasters Gives Your Childhood Lunch A Makeover

March 18, 2019

Not only do PB&J of the month clubs exist, but — even better — the PB&J Of The Month subscription from Big Spoon Roasters will provide you with the makings for the fanciest PB&Js you’ve ever tasted each month.

Too Many Lines, Not Enough Tacos

March 14, 2019

The best bar? Big Spoon Roasters’ cherry pecan, by a mile. It’s all about that salty-sweet.

Meet the Maker

March 13, 2019

Big Spoon Roasters stirs up rich and nourishing nut butters for elite athletes and toast-lovers alike.

4 Recovery Secrets From the Man Who Just Ran the Fastest 10 Marathons in 10 Days

February 15, 2019

Wardian is a vegetarian, but he always makes sure that he’s eating a balanced diet. That means enough protein. Some of his favorite sources? Eggs, hummus, and almond butter, as he told Runner’s World previously when talking about how he fuels his ultras.

“I usually have pretty good nutrition. This time involved a lot of airplane food, but I packed some bars and love Big Spoon Roasters,” he said.

Editor's Picks: The Best Foods We're Eating Right Now

January 31, 2019

Big Spoon Roasters‘ super-nutty spread is flecked with chewy chunks of ginger, making it ideal for slathering over a hunk of crusty bread or, you know, just eating it straight from the jar. We don’t judge.

Three Cool Bits to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

January 1, 2019

It's rare that an energy bar brings something new -- and tasty -- to the table. Made with simple ingredients, Big Spoon Roasters' nut butter bars have done just that.

How Durham’s Big Spoon Roasters Took Its Nut Butters and Bars from Farmers Markets to Amazon

February 13, 2019

Big Spoon’s ethos is built on meticulous ingredient sourcing, environmental and social responsibility (it’s also part of Durham’s Living Wage Project), and quality without cutting corners.

Inside Durham's Big Spoon Roasters

December 21, 2018

We wanted to sit down with Mark to share the story of his company with our members.

How Michael Wardian Fueled a 184-Mile Run on a Vegetarian Diet

December 12, 2018

"My sources of protein now come from hummus—one of my favorite foods—and almond butter. I only knew peanut butter growing up, but now I have a relationship with Big Spoon Roasters’ hand-crafted nut butter, especially the almond ginger flavor."

UNC Health Care boosts the pay of 9,000 employees as it raises minimum wage

December 11, 2018

Overbay said Big Spoon Roasters doesn’t have to cut back on hiring or on employee hours, because the company’s values are part of what it sells. The commitment to a living wage, health insurance and other employee benefits is intended to appeal to customers, who are supporting a shared value system by buying Big Spoon Roasters’ handcrafted nut butters, Overbay said.

Chowhound Gift Guide 2018: Gifts for Peanut Butter Lovers

November 26, 2018

Keeping in touch with friends and relatives in other cities can be hard. But buy them a subscription to a peanut–butter-of-the-month club and they’ll receive a monthly reminder of how much you care. Big Spoon Roasters offers subscriptions that range from three months to six months to ongoing.

Is Peanut Butter Good For You?

July 8, 2018

These peanut butter products make it easy to skip over Skippy.

The 10 Healthiest, All-natural Nut and Seed Butters

June 28, 2018

This classic peanut butter will satisfy your cravings. It’s made with a touch of honey and sea salt. Do yourself a favor and spoon out the correct serving size: If you spoon from the jar, it’s going to take a Herculean amount of self-control to stop.

Big Spoon And Equator Coffees Join Forces For An Espresso Nut Butter

May 1, 2018

Like with all of Big Spoon’s edible spreadables, the new collab is light on ingredients; it’s made up of only “fresh-roasted heirloom California Mission almonds, Oregon Barcelona and Clark variety hazelnuts, [raw organic] coconut crystals, [organic Madagascar] vanilla, [Vietnamese] cinnamon, and sea salt with Equator Coffees & Teas’ flagship Tigerwalk Espresso,” per a press release.

Go Nuts

March 1, 2018

Inspired by mamba, a popular Haitian peanut-pepper condiment, this intensely fiery spread blends fresh-roasted peanuts, organic sugar, and sea salt with guajillo, ancho, and babanero chilies for a unique PB you won't soon forget.

Keep These Products At Your Desk For Better Office Lunches

February 27, 2018

Forget a regular old PB&J. Go bigger with an unexpected flavor blend for spreading on bread or crackers in a breakfast or lunchtime pinch.

Big Spoon Roasters Handcrafted Nut Butter Bars

January 25, 2018

Big Spoon Roasters Handcrafted Nut Butter Bars are a definite must on your next TrailblazerGirl hiking adventure!

5 Highly Giftable Food Items That We Wouldn’t Be Mad to Receive (Hint Hint)

December 4, 2017

As if Big Spoon Roasters nut butters couldn’t get any more delicious, they recently announced a new (limited batch!!!!!!!) collaboration with Jacobsen Salt Co. and Bee Local. The final product? Well, let’s just say, any nut butter lover in your life definitely needs a spoonful of this. Make that happen for them, okay?

The Wandering Eater: Holiday Gift Guide 2017

November 20, 2017

The North Carolina-based artisan nut butter brand, Big Spoon Roasters released a limited batch Jacobsen Salt Co. + Bee Local Nut Butter 2-Pack collaboration set. Both nut betters are delicious on its own or on anything from toast to fruit to cake.

17 AMERICAN MADE PEANUT BUTTER, AND OTHER UNIQUE SEED AND NUT BUTTERS WE LOVE

November 7, 2017

Chai spice isn’t just made for lattes anymore. Big Spoon Roasters offers you the chance to eat your favorite chai spices.

BABELY // SPONSORED GOODIES: PART I

November 5, 2017

Because we all a little nutty on the Babely squad, it seemed appropriate to team up with the kings of nut butter- Big Spoon Roasters. We were so excited to receive a big ol' box filled with what I believe to be the best flavor combo ever - their almond ginger nut butter.

The Spicy-Hot Peanut Butter Your PB&J is Longing For

September 21, 2017

I first heard about mamba from Mark Overbay, who first heard about mamba from a friend who grew up in Haiti. Mark is the guy behind Big Spoon Roasters, a little company in Durham, North Carolina that makes the best nut butter you’ll ever find in a jar. They start with raw nuts that they roast until toasty and colorful and then mill through custom steel plates.

The Growth of Nut and Seed Butter

April 5, 2017

Inclusions and unique flavors set brands apart in this ever growing category. Big Spoon Roasters also offer various nut butter flavors, like Espresso and Vanilla Peanut Sorghum.

The Case for Peanut Butter

July 1, 2017

Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Butter: Small batch, made-to-order peanut butter made with roasted heirloom peanuts and wildflower honey.

Hot Peanut Butter: 2017 Southern Living Food Award Winner

May 30, 2017

Inspired by his experience with spicy peanut butter in Haiti, Mark Overbay adds ancho, guajillo, and habanero chiles to this signature Hot Peanut Butter. Smear with strawberry jam on crusty bread for a grown-up PB&J, or warm it up and drizzle over a noodle bowl.

10 Last-Minute Food Gifts You Can Still Get in Time for Mother's Day

May 17, 2017

This super-nutty spread is flecked with chewy chunks of ginger, making it perfect for slathering over a hunk of crusty bread or, you know, just eating it straight from the jar.

Energy Bar Review: Big Spoon Roasters Apricot Pepita Bar

May 17, 2017

As soon as you tear open Big Spoon Roasters’ Apricot Pepita bar, the aroma of the hand-roasted nut butter fills the air. The roasting concentrates the flavors, giving it complexity and body beyond that of other peanut butter flavors we’ve tasted. The bar itself is very soft, but with each bite, you notice the coarseness of the peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, and quinoa.

New Healthy Energy Bars We Love

March 11, 2017

The eco-chic compostable packaging is what caught our eye at first, before being drawn in by the bars’ two unique flavors: Apricot Pepita and Cherry Pecan. Even the nut-butter base of these bars is homemade. We love their texture; it’s a combo of melt-in-your mouth creamy with a bit of crunch from puffed quinoa and cacao nibs. They’re great snacks on their own, of course, but we also love crumbling a bar over yogurt or a smoothie bowl.

Big Spoon Roasters is Changing the Nut Butter Scene with Artisanship in Mind

March 6, 2017

Mark Overbay, founder of Durham-based Big Spoon Roasters, speaks to not only the texture of his nut butters, but also what his company stands for as a whole. Last month, Meredith Davin and I visited Big Spoon Roasters' facility, met Mark, and fell further in love with this company.

What a Nursing Mom Getting Ready for Pageant Season Eats in a Day

March 1, 2017

These gluten and soy-free treats are all handcrafted and you can taste all the whole natural ingredients they use!

Cook This: Big Spoon's Latest Peanut Butter Spices Up Sweet and Savory Recipes

February 15, 2017

Mark Overbay has been thinking about Hot Peanut since he started Big Spoon Roasters in 2011. He stumbled upon the flavor more than a decade before that—in 1999 in Zimbabwe, where he lived and worked as a Peace Corps volunteer. There, his local neighbors roasted peanuts over an open fire, smashed them into butter by hand, and stirred in any number of ingredients. Some went the sweet route with coconut oil or meat. Others, savory with avocado. And others still, fiery with bird's eye chili. The last, especially, had Overbay wide-eyed.

12 Foods That Will Help You Be at Least a Little Healthier in 2017

January 5, 2017

Noted nut-butter producer Big Spoon is behind these apricot-pepita bars, made with roasted peanuts plus oats, quinoa, cocoa, and wildflower honey. It’s certainly a better way to start your day than a bacon-egg-and-cheese or a Clif bar.

The Best Artisanal Food Gifts of 2016

December 31, 2016

Based out of Durham, North Carolina, Big Spoon Roasters makes a mean nut butter. Made with all-natural ingredients and none of those fillers and preservatives that you'll find in the grocery store, these nut butters are no joke. With nontraditional flavors like hot peanut, almond cocoa, and chai spice, this variety pack is sure to make your loved ones go nuts!

How to Cook a Nut: Grind Them

November 1, 2016

There's no comparison between homemade nut butter and store-bought for Mark Overbay, founder of the handcrafted nut butter company Big Spoon Roasters, as long as you follow his rules of the road.

Southern Living 2016 Food Awards

May 13, 2016

Over the past year, our editors have canvassed the South, from Atlanta to Austin, sipping and sampling hundreds of artisan-made products; we've finally narrowed it down to one delicious list. Here are our favorites: Big Spoon Roasters' Vanilla Peanut Sorghum Butter. Coarsely ground with rum-like sorghum syrup, this is grown-up peanut butter.

An Actually Useful Guide to Raleigh, North Carolina

March 24, 2016

My favorite vendor, Big Spoon Roasters, based out of Durham, sells peanut and nut butters. I love the almond cashew and cashew peanut butters. They also have these neat little protein bars—in flavors like Apricot Pepita—that I order by the case.

12 Energy Bars That Are Better Than Starbucks

February 23, 2016

Most commercial nut butters are made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, which is why it’s best to go with brands like Big Spoon Roasters, whose products not only taste fantastic, but are actually good for you. They’re handmade Nut Butter Bars are made in small batches with their own fresh-roasted nut butter, are naturally sweet, and loaded with fiber and protein to keep you full longer.

11 Questions with Mark Overbay of Big Spoon Roasters

February 22, 2016

To say that Big Spoon Roasters‘ nut butter is better than the smooth or chunky peanut butters found on the shelf of most super markets is not only an understatement in flavor, but an epic understatement in inspiration.

20 Unique Nut Butters That Will Put Skippy to Shame

February 5, 2016

No. 1: Big Spoon Chai Spice
Big Spoon’s handcrafted nut butters like Chai Spice and Almond Ginger have some zing. The strong cinnamon and cardamom spices in chai make this an awesome butter to pair with anything apple, like this delicious cinnamon apple quinoa breakfast bowl.

Tasting Table 2015 Holiday Pantry

December 14, 2015

Keep the chai spices out of mulled wine this winter and try them spun into nut butter instead. Every batch of this textured peanut-and-almond spread is hand-roasted and packaged in Durham, North Carolina. Pro tip: While you're at it, tack a cherry pecan nut butter bar (or five) onto your order. Go nuts.

With New Jars & Bars, Big Spoon Roasters Readies for Nut Butter Empire Expansion

August 28, 2015

“We’ll never compromise quality for any reason, as doing so would defeat the whole purpose of our business, which is to create the best possible version of every food we make,” Overbay wrote. That mission is so unique and inspiring, that the national Good Food Awards added its first “Pantry” category this year just to include Overbay and entrepreneurs like him.

Try Big Spoon Roasters' new energy bar

August 26, 2015

"It’s soft and chewy, with pockets of crunch. It’s sweet, with the apricots sitting alongside bits of chocolate, and a little spicy, as though a dab of pepper had been dropped into the mixer. I wanted to keep working out just so I could have another."

Need in Your Pantry: Big Spoon Roasters Espresso Nut Butter

August 11, 2015

A partnership with Counter Culture Coffee gave rise to this not-too-sweet offering made from espresso, fresh-roasted almonds, raw wildflower honey, and sea salt. Slather on a toasted English muffin to get a jump on your daily grind.

Good Food: Big Spoon Roasters Almond Cocoa Butter

August 13, 2015

Amongst recipes like Peanut Cashew and Chai Spice Nut Butter, the Almond Cocoa Butter stands out as a mix of Mission almonds and roasted cacao nibs, with a touch of North Carolina wildflower honey, organic dark chocolate and sea salt.

The Best All-Natural Peanut Butters

May 26, 2015

Perhaps the current king of small batch nut roasters, Durham, NC’s Big Spoon makes a peanut butter that is heavy on the roast and just about perfect on the honey and sea salt. The small, charmingly designed jars of must-stir butters are packed with a butter the consistency of brownie batter, crunchy and sweet but with the spotlight shining straight on a perfectly roasted peanut.

Pairing Nut Butter and Cheese

June 2, 2015

Big Spoon Roasters’ Chai Spice Nut Butter: Ready to take your pairing prowess to the next level? A variety of nut butters featuring the piquant notes of ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and cloves make a playful bite alongside especially fruity and creamy cheeses.

The Southern Living Food Awards

June 1, 2015

Mission Almond Butter: A three-ingredient nut butter that blends wildflower honey and sea salt with heirloom Mission almonds, which are creamier and richer than regular almonds.

Five Toast Toppings to Try Now

March 30, 2015

Big Spoon Roasters Chai Nut Butter: Adding the warm spices of chai (cardamom, clove, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla) to hearty peanut and almond butter may seem like it’s going to be overkill, but it works: Each of the components is present in each bite, but they don’t overpower one another. Every jar is made to order, so give the Durham roasters a week to send yours to your door.

Holiday Gift Guide

November 1, 2014

Coffee Nut Butter: The classic PB&J gets a caffeine boost with this Counter Culture bean-infused butter from North Carolina-based Big Spoon Roasters.

How Big Spoon Roasters Makes Some of the Country’s Best Nut Butter

November 11, 2014

Welcome to Out of the Kitchen, our ongoing exploration of America’s coolest food artisans. Over the next few months, we’re apprenticing with the best knife forgers, cider brewers, and spice blenders, then bringing their knowledge and expertise back to our home kitchens—and to yours. Our first profile is Durham, NC’s Mark Overbay and his Big Spoon Roasters.

ALL-STAR ALMOND

November 1, 2014

Our favorite almond butter, Big Spoon Roasters Mission Almond Butter has intense flavor and crunchy-creamy texture. It’s subtly sweet and salty, so it works equally well in a sandwich with banana or alt-hummus.

10 Objects of Our Obsession

September 1, 2014

Almond Ginger Butter… My favorite new morning snack; slices of Honey Crisp apple dipped into Big Spoon Roasters’ almond butter studded with candied ginger.

Hottest Packaged Food Trends

September 1, 2015

Big Spoon Roasters’ Almond Brazil Butter: Outside of the mixed nut tin, the Brazil nut hasn’t had an outsized influence. But we’re loving its new all-spread-out look.

Taste 50: The Best in Southern Food

August 1, 2014

These handcrafted, small-batch nut butters are ground in Durham, North Carolina, and use ingredients from local farmers. Trust us: Your PB&Js will never be the same.

The Food Network: Art and craft aren’t the only way to be creative

March 1, 2014

While working in marketing, the North Carolinian Mark Overbay decided to create made-to-order nut butters inspired by what he’d tasted as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zimbabwe. “Freshness is paramount,” Overbay says.

Local Finds: Capturing “Freshly Ground”

March 1, 2014

Mark Overbay first tasted minutes-old nut butter un the rural Zimbabwe village where he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Back home in North Carolina, Overbay began roasting fresh peanuts, then grinding them between custom-made plates to mimic the texture of African nut butters.

Spread ‘Em!

March 1, 2014

Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Cashew: Big Spoon’s handcrafted nut butters are carefully blended to have a creamy texture while retaining the crunchy bits. The North Carolina company also sells killer peanut-almond and peanut-pecan blends.

A La Carte: Gifts for the Savory Set

January 1, 2014

Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Pecan Butter: We don’t know what to suggest with this since we eat it out of the jar, but rumor is it makes a mean peanut sauce.

Build Your Best-Ever PB&J

September 13, 2014

More adventurous flavors include the spectacular chai, laced with cardamom and clove, and a peanut butter spiked with stone-ground chocolate. The silky handmade spreads are dotted with irregular nutty chunks. Sweetened with wildflower honey and seasoned with sea salt, they showcase the taste of the nuts themselves: rich, roasty and most certainly memorable.

The Find: We’re Nuts for It

September 1, 2013

Chai lovers can enjoy the Indian spice blend in everything from cupcakes to coffee, but the latest – and we think greatest – incarnation is Big Spoon Roasters Chai Spice Nut Butter. Laced with piquant ginger and warm cardamom and cinnamon, the mix of peanut and almond butters is perfectly salty and just enough sweet. We like it straight from the jar.

What We’re Loving: Better Spread

September 1, 2013

Dozens of nut butters are popping up on grocery stores, and some of the tastiest come from Big Spoon Roasters in North Carolina. Their Secret? A short, simple ingredient list of the highest quality.

Get out your spoon for these next generation nut butters

August 28, 2013

Founder Mark Overbay discovered the incredible flavors of handcrafted nut butters as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zimbabwe, and decided to try to whip them up back home in North Carolina. His creations (he literally hand makes each jar) combine peanuts with almonds, cashews, or pecans, and then add a touch of sea salt and local wildflower honey. The result is an all-natural culinary product that tastes utterly amazing.

Big Spoon Roasters Founder Looks to Boost Nut Butter Production

July 27, 2013

Overbay started the business out of a passion for food, its ability to connect people, and agriculture, he said. “I want Big Spoon to help support farmers and other people participating in sustainable agriculture that contribute to the products we make.”

Raleigh and Durham

July 1, 2013

Get the best of both towns on your next trip to the Triangle: Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Almond Butter.

A Taste of Durham

June 10, 2013

Big Spoon Roasters tastes great, it’s natural, and it’s made with high-quality ingredients in small batches. It’s run by a very nice guy named Mark Overbay who cares deeply about flavor, nutrition and sustainability, among other things. You should read the inspiring tale behind Mark’s line of nut butters and peek at his unique flavors so that you can understand my enthusiasm for them.

Big Spoon Roasters

February 18, 2013

There isn’t a spoon in the world big enough to shovel in the amount of Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Cashew Butter that I desire to consume into my face. I’m also keen on consuming a substantial amount of their Peanut Pecan, Peanut Almond and plain ol’ Peanut Butter – and by substantial I mean a sickening amount by most people’s standards.

Big Spoon Roasters: Mark Overbay

February 7, 2013

Big Spoon Roasters prides themselves on flavor, craftsmanship, and their pursuit of redefining how the production of a food product should be handled. At the foundation of each jar is flavor.

Foodie Fun

Send your guests home with a savory – and unexpected – surprise: Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Cocoa Butter.

Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Butter

November 1, 2012

Big Spoon owner Mark Overbay works with local and regional peanut farmers to be a positive force for sustainable peanut agriculture and transparent marketing.

On Our Wish List: Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Pecan Butter

November 1, 2012

No Jam Required: We like to eat this salty sweet mix of peanuts and pecans straight from the jar.

What’s Good Today: Big Spoon Peanut Butter at Greene Grape Provisions

September 26, 2012

The best day yet for me here at Greene Grape was when the first samples of Mark’s peanut butter came in. I made everyone working in the store that day taste it. I’m a peanut butter geek, and I am really excited about this peanut butter. It’s the best all-natural peanut butter I’ve ever had.

The Ultimate Man’s Food

August 16, 2012

A Better Butter: Creamy, with just a hint of crunch, Big Spoon Roasters in Durham, North Carolina, produces a top notch spread made from freshly-roasted local peanuts, wildflower honey, organic coconut oil and sea salt.

The Artisanal Irony

At Big Spoon Roasters in Durham, N.C., Mark Overbay, a veteran of the fair-trade coffee business, makes every batch of his locally sourced nut butters by hand.

Pigtastic Picks… what we’re lusting after

June 1, 2012

We can’t get enough of these peanut butters from Big Spoon Roasters in Durham, North Carolina. They’re handcrafted using local wildflower honey and peanuts.

Snacks to Get You From Morning to Midnight

March 6, 2012

Turn the blank canvas of sliced fruit or toast into a masterpiece with Big Spoon Roaster’s Peanut Almond Butter.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Grows Up

February 28, 2012

Big Spoon owner Mark Overbay spent a decade searching grocery shelves for the perfect peanut butter before deciding he could do better. The resulting nut butters (classic peanut and blends of peanut–pecan, almond, and cashew) are roasted and ground by hand, using local peanuts, wildflower honey, organic coconut oil, and sea salt.