A smooth, spreadable paste made by grinding roasted or raw nuts, sometimes with added salt, oil, or sweetener. Nut- and seed-based pastes such as tahini have ancient roots across the Middle East and Asia, while the smooth peanut butter familiar today was developed in the United States in the late 19th century, with cereal-maker John Harvey Kellogg among the early patent holders. Modern nut butters, including peanut, almond, cashew, and hazelnut varieties, are used in baking, sauces, dips, and spreads, and in dishes from Thai satay to chocolate-hazelnut spreads such as Nutella.