Tag: Water in butter

According to USDA standards, American butter must contain at least 80% milkfat to be legally sold as butter. This statistic alone proves that butter is not 100 percent fat, and understanding its actual composition reveals insights crucial for both culinary uses and nutrition.

Standard American butter must contain a minimum of 80% milkfat, a legal requirement that directly explains why it is not pure fat. The remaining percentage is made up of water and milk solids, which are integral to the finished product's texture, flavor, and functionality.