- Clarified butter is a purified, anhydrous milk fat with a high smoke point, ideal for frying and baking.
- It does not contain lactose or milk proteins, therefore it can be consumed by people with lactose intolerance and allergies.
- Ghee is a source of vitamins A, D, E and K as well as butyric acid, which supports digestion and immunity.
- It is widely used in cooking and more – from traditional Indian cuisine to specialised diets, natural therapies and care.
Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is a product that has been prized in the kitchen for centuries. Its history can be traced back to ancient India, and today it is increasingly appearing in recipes and on the shelves of shops around the world. What makes clarified butter known as ‘gold in the kitchen‘? What are its properties, uses and health benefits? Is it worth replacing other fats used on a daily basis?
What is clarified butter?
Clarified butter is a fat obtained by heating ordinary butter (e.g. organic butter) until its components are separated: water, milk proteins and fat. This process produces a pure, golden fat that contains no lactose, casein or water. For this reason, clarified butter is also known as anhydrous milk fat.
The properties of clarified butter – why should you be interested in this product?
Clarified butter has gained recognition not only for its taste and aroma, but also for some unique functional properties:
- high smoke point – resistance to high temperatures (up to 250°C) is one of the most important characteristics of clarified butter. The absence of proteins and water makes it an ideal fat for frying, baking and cooking – much tastier and safer than many common vegetable oils.
- shelf life and performance – clarified butter can be stored for many months without refrigeration. Properly stored, it retains its freshness and aroma for a long time, and its high concentration means that a small amount of the product is enough to impart a distinctive flavour to a dish.
- rich in nutrients – ghee contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. These are essential for the health of the skin, eyesight and bones, and also support immunity. Clarified butter also contains natural antioxidants and butyric acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and supports intestinal health.
- lactose and casein free – thanks to the elimination of milk proteins and lactose, clarified butter is well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance or allergies to cow’s milk proteins and can therefore be used in a dairy-free diet.
Clarified butter applications – not only for frying
The use of clarified butter in cooking is very wide. It is used not only for frying – it can be added to everyday dishes and used in other ways. Let’s take a look at its use in the culinary world:
- frying and baking – it is great for heat treating foods without burning at higher temperatures like regular butter;
- preparing oriental dishes – in Indian cuisine, ghee is an essential ingredient in curries, lentil (dal) and rice dishes or desserts; it is also used in Ethiopian or Arabic cuisine;
- preparation of sauces – clarified butter is an essential ingredient in sauces such as Béarnaise or Hollandaise;
- addition to meals – a teaspoon of clarified butter added to soup, porridge or potatoes increases their nutritional value and gives them a mild, pleasant flavour;
- clarified butter is also ideal for spreading on bread, toast or as a base for homemade popcorn.
Clarified butter is also used in personal care and natural healing:
- for skin and hair care (it serves as a base for making hair masks or homemade creams);
- in ayurveda, it is used as a healing agent – soothing, cleansing, strengthening and anti-inflammatory (it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system, aids detoxification, soothes upper respiratory tract infections and moisturises mucous membranes);
- is used in religious rituals, symbolising purity, light and divinity.
Health benefits of clarified butter
In India, ghee is considered one of the most valuable fats – not only in culinary terms, but also symbolically and therapeutically. Today, ghee is also growing in popularity in Europe, especially among those who value healthy eating.
Although saturated fats have long been infamous, more and more studies are showing that fats of natural origin – such as clarified butter – can have numerous benefits for the body. Here are the most important of these:
- improving digestion – clarified butter promotes the regeneration of the intestinal mucosa, has an anti-inflammatory effect and regulates the bacterial flora;
- strengthening immunity – the vitamins and antioxidants contained in ghee support the body’s natural defence mechanisms;
- heart and brain health – moderate consumption of ghee can support cardiovascular health and cognitive function due to the presence of HDL cholesterol and healthy fatty acids;
- detoxifying effects – according to ayurveda, ghee cleanses the body of toxins and promotes liver regeneration, which is why it is used in cleansing therapies;
- better absorption of nutrients – the presence of fat in the diet is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
If you are looking for high-quality dairy fats, it is worth looking at the offer of Foodcom S.A., a company specialising in the distribution of dairy and food products. The company’s range includes not only clarified butter, but also products such as delicate sweet extra butter or sour, intense lactic butter.
Clarified butter is true culinary gold – not only because of its colour, but above all because of the properties that make it so special. Clarified butter combines rich tradition and modernity, taste and health, versatility and safety. It works well both in everyday cooking and in the preparation of specialised diets or dishes.
