Description
Butter
- Butter is a popular dairy product made from cow’s milk.
- Composed of milk fat that has been separated from other milk components, it has a rich flavor and is widely used as a spread, as well as for cooking and baking.
Production and Benefits
- Butter is produced by separating cream from the milk, then churning the cream to drain off the extra liquid.
- Butter contains significant amounts of calories and fat, packing over 100 calories and 11 grams of fat into 1 tablespoon (14 grams).
- Butter is mainly composed of fat, such as saturated, monounsaturated, and dairy trans fats.
- Butter is rich in various vitamins, including A, D, E, B12, and K2.
- Butter is generally healthy — and low in lactose — but may contribute to weight gain when eaten in excess. While it has been blamed for raising heart disease risk, some studies indicate it could benefit heart health.
- Butter from grass-fed cows is higher in many nutrients than butter from grain-fed cows and may be a healthier option.
