How is butter made?
Butter is made by churning cream. Shaking or stirring breaks the fat globules apart so they clump into butter, separating from a liquid called buttermilk.
Cream is collected from milk, either by letting it rise to the top or by using a machine called a separator. The cream is then churned. As it is agitated, it first turns into whipped cream, then the fat droplets crash together and stick, forming grains of butter. The leftover liquid is traditional buttermilk.
The butter grains are washed with cold water to remove buttermilk, which helps the butter keep longer. They are then kneaded, or worked, to press out more liquid and create a smooth texture. Salt may be added for flavor and preservation. Butter is about 80 percent fat.
Types of butter
Cultured butter is made from cream that has been slightly fermented with bacteria, giving it a tangier taste. It is common in Europe. Clarified butter and ghee are made by heating butter to remove water and milk solids, leaving pure butterfat that can be cooked at higher temperatures.
Did You Know?
You can make butter at home by shaking cold heavy cream in a sealed jar for about 10 to 20 minutes until a lump of butter forms.