Isn’t Butter just ‘butter’? Not by a Long Shot!
This is confusing for one simple reason… Most people assume that butter is all fat so all butter must be the same. Au contraire! It’s true that the calories in butter are 100% fat but, for most American butters, the butterfat itself is only 85%! What makes up the rest? Read on…
As you might have guessed, since there’s only one thing in this world that’s the greatest part of our daily diet, that’s necessary for life but has no calories, and that of course, is water.
As you can see from the photo above, Challenge Butter, a great All-American Dairy Producer, which has been around for 109 years is now offering “European Style” Butter, along with Strauss Creamery, another great American Dairy.
If you look at the other two brands, you’ll see one is Irish and the other, French. What’s called “European Style” butter is simply butter that has less water in it compared to most American butters. Oddly enough, we’re only talking about a difference of 5% or so but it does make a difference!
Since European Style butters have more butterfat and are often churned longer, they taste creamier, (and more ‘buttery’), melt faster, and are generally softer. There are some European butters that use fermented cream which gives it a slightly tangy flavor.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in richness, look for genuine European Butters, (such as Kerrygold or Isigny Ste Mere), or look for the classic American brand with the “European Style” label!
Bon appetit!!!
