Butter
Butter is a food made from churning cream to separate out the solids. It is a highly concentrated milk product, taking approximately 2.5 gallons of milk to create 1 pound of butter. The by-product of the churning process is buttermilk, a thin and flavorsome liquid. Butter is a key ingredient in many recipes and is used in several cooking methods, such as baking and sautéing.
Butter adds flavour and calories to food, as it is high in fat (about 100 calories per tablespoon). Butter is solid in cold temperatures, becomes more spreadable at warmer temperatures, liquefies quickly when heated, and burns easily. It can also alter the consistency of food, for example, cookies made with butter tend to be crunchier, while those prepared with vegetable oil have a softer texture. It is the primary ingredient in several sauces such as hollandaise and bearnaise.
History
Butter has been around since ancient times with numerous references made to it in the Bible. [1]
- ↑ "...the churning of milk produces butter." Proverbs 30:33.