Butter is a dairy product created from proteins and fats found in milk and cream. In New Zealand, most butter is grass feed cow milk-based, but butter also comes from many other sources such as milk from sheep, goats, buffalo.
Suki Bakery makes cultured butter in a traditional way. Making the cultured organic butter at our own workshop.
People have been making butter for centuries throughout Europe and Asia. Humans initially used butter as a way of preserving the fat in milk. Butter rose to prominence as a spread and cooking fat in northern Europe during the Middle Ages, when it was eaten by peasants. The upper classes also ate it periodically, because it was the only animal fat allowed by Rome on days when meat was forbidden. In the 16th century it was allowed during Lent. In the early days, it took a little while to get enough cream to churn, and so it was collected over various days. Because the milk in these small old-timey dairies was not refrigerated, the lactic acid bacteria inherent in dairy would ferment slightly. This cultured butter has a very tangy and rich flavour, and is Suki’s most favourite butter. Suki Bakery uses own made cultured organic butter making the Lowrey Butter Cookies, Lowrey Shortbread and Lowrey Nougats. And you’ll know what heaven tastes like.
Some studies have found links between high-fat dairy products like butter and lower chances of obesity, diabetes, and heart problems. Still, remember that butter is high in calories and saturated fat. Scientists have debated the health benefits of butter for decades.
Nutrition Information
One tablespoon of unsalted butter contains:
- 102 calories
- 12 grams of fat
- 0 grams of carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein
Butter is a source of:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
Potential Health Benefits of Butter
In moderation, butter can be a healthy part of your diet. It’s rich in nutrients like bone-building calcium and contains compounds linked to lower chances of obesity. Butter can also be part of a low-carbohydrate diet, which may help people better maintain their weight or lose weight quicker than they would with a low-fat diet.
Butter has other health benefits:
It could help your eyes. The beta-carotene in butter may help slow the rate of vision loss, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
It can help strengthen your bones. Butter contains vitamin D, a nutrient that is vital for bone growth and development. It also has calcium, which is essential for bone strength. Calcium also helps prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones weak and fragile.
It can help make your skin healthier. Butter also contains vitamin E, which plays a role in skin health. The nutrient reduces damage from UV sun rays, reduces skin inflammation, and improves how well skin wounds heal.
It can help lower your chances of cancer. Butter is high in beta-carotene, a compound that your body converts into vitamin A. Beta-carotene has been linked to lowered risks of lung cancer and prostate cancer.
