For their wedding in May of 2013, Zachary and Valerie Fishbain wanted to give their guests something special to remember the occasion. After brainstorming ideas for different party favors, Valerie spontaneously decided to make a batch of homemade peanut butter in her Vitamix blender.  

The experimental confection was a hit with family and friends, who expressed interest in purchasing additional jars. Soon after, an artisanal peanut butter company was born.  

Aptly titled Spread the Love, Zachary and Valerie’s burgeoning business has captured the attention of peanut butter connoisseurs throughout Los Angeles. The couple sources Valencia and Spanish peanuts for the all-organic product, made in small batches on a weekly basis. 

“Even though we’ve expanded from the wedding and we are using [a peanut grinder] now to help us with the production, we’re still producing it in small batches,” Zachary explained. “It’s pretty fresh because we’re not making a huge amount peanut butter that’s out there right now.”

(Maral Tavitian/Neon Tommy)

A yoga enthusiast and food blogger in her spare time, Valerie oversees product development. The original flavor receives its signature kick from a combination of cinnamon and cayenne pepper, while agave provides a hint of sweetness to balance the spices. 

The natural oiliness from the two kinds of peanuts gives Spread the Love an incredibly light and airy consistency, even when eaten straight out of the refrigerator. 

“I wanted to incorporate stuff that we usually use in our food, such as cayenne, cinnamon and agave. Those are kind of my staples,” Valerie said. 

The cacao and pumpkin seed peanut butters are intriguing adaptations on the classic flavor. The addition of ground cacao beans provides a smoky, rich undertone of chocolate without being cloyingly sweet. A seasonal offering, the pumpkin seed peanut butter possesses a coarse texture and earthier flavor, but with fewer calories than those made entirely of peanuts. 

In addition to the delicious flavor they provide, Valerie selected the ingredients for their substantial health benefits.  

“There’s a health benefit to cacao, antioxidants, and it just tastes really good,” Valerie said. 

For traditionalists, Spread the Love also offers an option without any flavorings added. 

“When we were at the farmers’ market, people were asking for just plain peanut butter,” Valerie said. “We didn’t want to call it plain, because our peanut butter is not plain. So we are calling it pure.”

Zachary said that consumers have resonated with the company’s honest ingredients and mission. In addition to being made with “lots of love and reggae music,” all of the peanut butters are free of preservatives and commercial stabilizers such as corn syrup and palm oil. 

“What separates our peanut butter from other peanut butters isn’t just what goes into it but also what doesn’t go into it,” Zachary said. “We don’t put any kinds of ingredients that you can’t pronounce. It gives it a really pure, unique, healthy flavor which has really helped our company grow to the point where it is today.”  

While Zachary and Valerie never imagined starting a small food business, they have felt welcome within the vibrant community of Los Angeles artisans. Zachary said he has enjoyed meeting fellow small business owners at farmers’ markets and pop-up shops and looks forward to collaborating on products. 

“The people who buy these products, who make these products and who come together and celebrate unique, craft, artisanal food products have allowed us to grow our business this first year,” Zachary said. 

Contact Food Editor Maral Tavitian here. Follow her on Instagram here.