What Brands Are Real Butter?
This article identifies brands of real butter, focusing on products made exclusively from milk or cream and salt. Genuine real butter is minimally processed and avoids added vegetable oils, artificial flavors, or preservatives, making it a healthier and more flavorful option.
The Allure of Real Butter: More Than Just a Spread
Butter, a staple in kitchens worldwide, transcends mere functionality. It’s a flavor enhancer, a texture provider, and a culinary cornerstone. However, navigating the dairy aisle can be confusing. Many products masquerade as butter, often containing a blend of vegetable oils and artificial ingredients. Real butter, on the other hand, is a simple, wholesome product offering numerous advantages.
Defining Real Butter: Purity and Simplicity
What exactly constitutes “real butter”? The answer lies in its ingredients and processing. Real butter is made primarily from:
- Milk or cream: This is the foundational ingredient, providing the rich flavor and creamy texture.
- Salt (optional): Many butters are salted to enhance flavor and act as a preservative. Unsalted butter is also widely available.
Anything beyond these two ingredients raises a red flag. Look out for:
- Vegetable oils: Blends that include soybean, canola, or other vegetable oils are not real butter. These are often labeled as “spreads” or “butter blends”.
- Artificial flavors and colors: These are unnecessary and detract from the natural flavor of butter.
- Preservatives: Real butter, properly stored, has a decent shelf life without added preservatives.
Identifying Real Butter Brands: A Guide
While ingredient lists are the ultimate authority, certain brands consistently offer real butter products. Here’s a list of common and widely available real butter brands (always check the ingredient list to confirm):
- Land O’Lakes: Primarily known for their salted and unsalted butter sticks made from sweet cream.
- Kerrygold: An Irish butter known for its rich flavor and high fat content due to grass-fed cows.
- Plugra: A European-style butter with a higher butterfat content, resulting in a richer, creamier flavor.
- Organic Valley: Offers organic butter options made from the milk of pasture-raised cows.
- Challenge Butter: A brand with a long history and a reliable reputation for real butter.
- Breakstone’s: Offers both salted and unsalted butter options.
It is crucial to always read the label to ensure these brands do not have “spreadable” or other blended butter alternatives with oils added.
Why Choose Real Butter? Health & Flavor Benefits
The choice between real butter and butter substitutes isn’t just about taste; it impacts your health.
- Natural Fats: Real butter contains natural fats that are easier for the body to process. Moderate consumption can be part of a healthy diet.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Butter contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as trace minerals.
- Flavor: Real butter provides a distinct, rich flavor that enhances cooking and baking.
- Avoidance of Processed Ingredients: Choosing real butter means avoiding potentially harmful additives and processed vegetable oils.
Common Misconceptions About Butter
Many myths surround butter, contributing to consumer confusion.
- Butter is always unhealthy: While high in saturated fat, moderate consumption of real butter can be part of a balanced diet.
- All “spreads” are healthier than butter: Many spreads contain unhealthy vegetable oils and additives. Always check the ingredient list.
- Expensive butter is always better: Price isn’t always an indicator of quality. Focus on the ingredient list.
Reading the Label: The Ultimate Test
The ingredient list is the most reliable tool for identifying real butter. Here’s what to look for:
| Feature | Real Butter | Fake Butter/Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Milk or Cream, Salt (optional) | Vegetable Oils, Water, Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Artificial Flavors |
| Texture | Solid at refrigerator temperature | May be softer and more spreadable |
| Taste | Rich, creamy, distinct | May taste artificial or bland |
| Labeling | Often labeled simply as “Butter” | Often labeled as “Spread,” “Butter Blend” |
Understanding Butterfat Content
Butterfat content impacts flavor and texture. American butter is typically around 80% butterfat. European-style butters, like Plugra, contain 82% or more. The higher the butterfat, the richer and creamier the butter will be. Higher butterfat can also impact baking recipes, leading to more tender baked goods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is cultured butter, and how does it differ from regular butter?
Cultured butter is made by adding live and active cultures (like those used in yogurt) to the cream before churning. This process ferments the cream, giving the butter a tangier, more complex flavor. While still “real butter,” cultured butter offers a distinct taste profile.
Is grass-fed butter healthier than regular butter?
Grass-fed butter is made from the milk of cows that primarily graze on grass. It often contains higher levels of vitamins and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. However, the difference can vary depending on the cow’s diet and other factors.
What is the difference between salted and unsalted butter?
Salted butter has salt added during the churning process, enhancing flavor and acting as a preservative. Unsalted butter contains no added salt, allowing for greater control over seasoning in recipes. Unsalted butter generally has a shorter shelf life.
How should real butter be stored to maintain its freshness?
Real butter should be stored in the refrigerator in its original packaging or an airtight container. For longer storage, it can be frozen. Freezing can slightly alter the texture, but the flavor will remain intact.
What is the shelf life of real butter?
Refrigerated real butter can last for several weeks, even beyond the “sell-by” date. Frozen butter can last for several months. Always check for signs of spoilage, such as discoloration or an off odor.
Can I use butter substitutes in baking and cooking?
Butter substitutes can be used in baking and cooking, but they will likely alter the flavor and texture of the final product. Real butter contributes a distinct richness and moisture that is difficult to replicate.
What does “clarified butter” mean, and why is it used?
Clarified butter is butter that has had the milk solids and water removed. This leaves behind pure butterfat, which has a higher smoke point and is ideal for high-heat cooking. Ghee is a type of clarified butter that has been cooked longer, giving it a nutty flavor.
Is butter a dairy product that people with lactose intolerance need to avoid?
Butter contains lactose, but in relatively small amounts compared to milk or yogurt. Some individuals with mild lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of butter. Clarified butter has even less lactose.
What are the environmental considerations associated with butter production?
Butter production has environmental implications, including greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farming and land use. Choosing organic and grass-fed butter can help reduce these impacts.
Why is European butter often yellower than American butter?
The color of butter is influenced by the cow’s diet. Grass-fed cows tend to produce milk with higher levels of beta-carotene, a pigment that gives butter a yellowish hue.
Is it possible to make real butter at home?
Yes! Making butter at home is a relatively simple process that involves churning heavy cream until the fat separates from the buttermilk.
How does butter contribute to the Maillard reaction in cooking?
The Maillard reaction, responsible for browning and flavor development in cooking, is enhanced by the presence of amino acids and reducing sugars. Butter contributes to this reaction through its protein content, leading to richer flavors and appealing browning in many dishes.