Ghee butter: what it is, benefits and how to make it

Ghee butter is a type of butter that can be obtained from cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s or buffalo’s milk, and which goes through a process in which the water and solid elements of the milk, including proteins, are eliminated. and lactose, generating a purified oil with a golden color and slightly transparent.

This type of butter, also known as clarified butter, is more concentrated in fats, in addition to being rich in vitamins A, E and K.

Ghee butter does not need to be stored in the refrigerator and is characterized by not containing salt, lactose or casein, and is currently widely used to replace the use of normal butter in meals.

Health benefits

Moderate consumption of ghee can bring some health benefits, such as:

1. Does not contain lactosebeing easier to digest and can be consumed by lactose intolerant people;
2. Does not contain caseinwhich is a cow’s milk protein, so it can be used by people with allergies to this protein;
3. Does not need to be stored in the refrigeratoras the solid contents of the milk are removed, ensuring durability, although it remains liquid like oil;
4. Can be used in meal preparation because it is more stable at high temperatures, unlike other butters that should only be used at low temperatures.
5. Promotes healthy skin, hair and nailsas it contains vitamin A and E that act as powerful antioxidants and prevent damage caused by free radicals to cells;
6. Increases the body’s defensesimproving the functioning of the immune system due to the presence of vitamin A and E in its composition, as well as butyric acid, which is also related to the increase in defense cells at the intestinal level;
7. Maintains bone healthas it contains vitamin K, which is necessary for the production of osteocalcin, a fundamental protein for the bone matrix;
8. Promotes digestion, as this type of butter is easier to digest due to the fact that it contains short and medium chain fatty acids that are more easily absorbed in the intestine. Additionally, it contains butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid that helps reduce intestinal inflammation.

Furthermore, some studies carried out indicate that the use of ghee could help reduce levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, however, the results are not conclusive, due to other studies that indicate the opposite, showing that the use of this butter It increases cholesterol because it has high amounts of saturated fats, which are associated with a greater risk of developing heart problems.

Because of this, the ideal is to consume clarified butter in moderation, in small portions and it should be included in a balanced diet.

Nutritional information

The following table shows the nutritional information for ghee compared to information for normal butter.

It is important to remember that the calories in both butters come from fat and, in fact, both are similar on a nutritional level. Therefore, the consumption of ghee must be accompanied by a balanced, healthy diet and must be consumed in small quantities, using 1 teaspoon per day.

How to make ghee at home

Ghee or clarified butter can be purchased in supermarkets, websites or nutritional product stores, but it can also be prepared at home, following the steps below:

ingredients

• 250 g unsalted butter (or the amount you want).

Preparation mode

1. Place the butter in a pan, preferably glass or stainless steel, and heat over medium heat until it melts and starts to boil. You can also use the water bath;
2. Using a slotted spoon or spoon, remove the foam that will form on the surface of the butter, trying not to touch the liquid part. The entire process takes around 30 to 40 minutes;
3. Wait for the butter to cool a little and strain the liquid with a sieve to remove the solids that form at the bottom of the pan, as they are formed by lactose;
4. Place the butter in a sterilized glass jar and store it in the refrigerator for the first day, so that it has a hard consistency. Then the butter can be stored at room temperature.

To make the butter last longer, it is important to store it in a sterilized glass jar. Then, pour boiled water into the bottle and wait 10 minutes, leaving it to dry naturally on a clean cloth, with the mouth facing downwards so that no air impurities enter the bottle. After drying, the bottle must be tightly capped and used when needed.