Understanding the 'Real Butter' Standard
In the dairy aisle, labels can be confusing. To understand if a product is 'real' butter, you need to know the official criteria. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) define butter as a dairy product containing a minimum of 80% milkfat, derived from churned sweet cream. Products that do not meet this standard, such as those with added vegetable oils or water, must be labeled as spreads or margarine. This is a crucial distinction that separates Land O Lakes' different offerings.
The Pure Butter Products
Land O Lakes manufactures several products that are, without a doubt, real butter. These are typically the salted and unsalted butter sticks, often labeled as Grade AA, the highest quality grade. Their ingredients list is simple and pure:
- Salted Butter: Sweet cream and salt.
- Unsalted Butter: Sweet cream.
- European Style Butter: Churned to a higher 82% milkfat content for a richer flavor and creamier texture, it is also considered real butter.
These classic products are perfect for baking, cooking, and achieving the traditional flavor and texture that only real butter can provide. For instance, the higher fat content of their European-style butter makes for exceptionally flaky pastries and richer sauces.
The Spreads: Butter with Benefits (and Additives)
To create a product that is easier to spread directly from the refrigerator, Land O Lakes blends pure butter with other ingredients, specifically vegetable oils. These are not 'real butter' in the purest sense, but rather a butter-based spread. Notable examples include:
- Light Butter with Canola Oil: A blend of butter, canola oil, and salt designed to be more spreadable with fewer calories.
- Butter Spread with Olive Oil: This contains cream, salt, and olive oil, with the added oil preventing the product from hardening completely.
While these spreads contain real butter, the added oils mean they cannot legally be sold or labeled as 'butter' alone. This is an important consideration for consumers, especially those baking, where the fat-to-water ratio is critical for the final texture. Baking with spreads can result in a softer dough and a different texture compared to recipes using pure butter.
Comparison Table: Land O Lakes Butter vs. Spreads
| Feature | Pure Land O Lakes Butter (e.g., Salted Sticks) | Land O Lakes Butter with Canola Oil Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Sweet Cream, Salt | Sweet Cream, Canola Oil, Salt |
| Milkfat Percentage | At least 80% (standard) or 82% (European style) | Varies, less than 80% milkfat due to added oils |
| Hardness at Refrigeration | Hard and requires softening for easy spreading | Softer and more spreadable directly from the fridge |
| Baking Performance | Ideal for most baking applications, including pastries | Not recommended for most baking; can produce softer results |
| Flavor Profile | Rich, classic butter flavor | Milder, may have a slightly different taste due to added oils |
| Versatility | Excellent for baking, cooking, and traditional butter needs | Best for spreading on toast, bagels, and sandwiches |
The History of Land O Lakes Butter
The cooperative that became Land O Lakes was originally formed in 1921 as the Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association. The cooperative revolutionized the butter industry by focusing on high-quality, fresh sweet cream butter and packaging it in individually wrapped sticks. The iconic Land O Lakes name and logo were introduced in 1924 after a contest, solidifying their reputation for quality. This legacy of producing pure, high-quality butter continues today, alongside their expanded line of convenience spreads.
Navigating the Dairy Aisle
When you are at the store, reading the label is the easiest way to ensure you're getting what you need. If a product is labeled simply as "Butter," it must meet the 80% milkfat standard. If it has additional ingredients listed, particularly vegetable oils, it will be labeled as a "Spread" or similar term. Land O Lakes has made it a priority to clearly differentiate between their pure butter products and their various spreads on their packaging.
In conclusion, the question, "Is Land O Lakes real butter?" has a clear answer, but requires a close look at the product packaging. Their stick butters, including the European style varieties, are indeed real butter, made from sweet cream and salt. Their other products, like spreads with canola or olive oil, are butter-based but not pure butter. Understanding the distinction helps home cooks and bakers choose the right product for their needs, ensuring perfect results every time.
Link: Check out the official Land O Lakes website for their product specifications
