Discover What Brands of Butter Have 82 Percent Fat

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

European-style butter is churned longer than its American counterpart, resulting in a minimum of 82% butterfat, compared to the 80% standard. This higher fat content creates a richer flavor and superior texture, making it a prized ingredient for chefs and home bakers alike. If you're looking for what brands of butter have 82 percent fat, you'll find several excellent options from around the world.

Quick Summary

Several brands, including Kerrygold, Plugrá, and Anchor, produce butter with an 82% fat content or higher. This European-style butter, characterized by its richer flavor and creamier texture, is a popular choice for high-end baking and cooking. Its superior performance results from a lower moisture and higher fat ratio, making it ideal for creating flaky pastries and smooth sauces.

Key Points

82% Butterfat Brands: Popular brands of butter with 82% fat content include Kerrygold, Plugrá, Anchor, Elle & Vire, and Lactantia.
European vs. American Standards: European-style butter is churned longer to achieve a minimum of 82% butterfat, while American butter is required to have at least 80%.
Superior Performance: The higher fat content and lower moisture in 82% butter makes it ideal for baking, resulting in flakier pastries and richer, more tender baked goods.
Rich Flavor and Texture: High-fat butters offer a richer, more creamy flavor and texture, which is highly desirable for both spreading and cooking.
Product Sourcing: Many brands like Kerrygold (Irish) and Anchor (New Zealand) source milk from grass-fed cows, which imparts a specific golden color and rich flavor.
Cultured vs. Sweet Cream: Some 82% fat butters, like Elle & Vire and Lactantia, are cultured for a tangy flavor, while others like Kerrygold are sweet cream based for a cleaner taste.

Butterfat content is a crucial factor that distinguishes one butter from another, profoundly affecting the flavor, texture, and performance in cooking and baking. While standard American butter is legally required to contain at least 80% butterfat, European-style butters are churned longer to achieve a higher concentration, typically 82% or more. This seemingly small difference in percentage makes a significant impact, leading to superior results, especially in pastry and sauce-making.

Popular Brands with 82% Butterfat

Several well-known and respected butter brands consistently offer products with 82 percent fat or slightly higher. These are often imported from Europe or produced by specialty dairies to meet European standards.

Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter

Origin: Ireland
Butterfat: 82%
Key Features: Made from the milk of grass-fed cows, this butter is renowned for its rich, golden color and creamy, intense flavor. Its distinctive taste makes it excellent for both cooking and as a spread. Kerrygold is widely available in many major grocery stores.

Plugrá European Style Butter

Origin: United States (made by Keller's Creamery)
Butterfat: 82%
Key Features: One of the first American brands to introduce a widely accessible European-style butter, Plugrá is a favorite among professional and home bakers for its rich, buttery taste and excellent performance in baked goods. The higher fat content results in flakier pastry crusts and tenderer cookies.

Anchor Butter

Origin: New Zealand
Butterfat: Approximately 82.9%
Key Features: Sourced from grass-fed cows in New Zealand, Anchor butter is prized for its pale yellow color and creamy texture. It provides a clean, rich flavor profile and is a strong contender for those seeking high-quality, high-fat butter.

Elle & Vire Gourmet Butter

Origin: Normandy, France
Butterfat: 82%
Key Features: A premium French butter made from meticulously selected milk and lactic ferments, Elle & Vire offers a delicate dairy taste. Its smooth, homogeneous texture is ideal for both cooking and high-end pastry work, providing consistent results.

Lactantia European Style Butter

Origin: Canada
Butterfat: 82%
Key Features: A Canadian favorite, Lactantia European style butter is made with 100% pure cultured cream from Canadian dairies. Its cultured flavor adds a distinctive tang, making it suitable for a variety of culinary applications, from baking to sauces.

Comparison of 82% Butterfat Brands


Brand	Origin	Butterfat %	Cultured	Primary Use	Notes
Kerrygold	Ireland	82%	No (Sweet Cream)	All-purpose, Spreading	Distinctive grassy flavor from grass-fed cows.
Plugrá	USA	82%	No (Sweet Cream)	Baking, Pastries	Excellent for creating flaky doughs and rich sauces.
Anchor	New Zealand	82.9%	No (Sweet Cream)	All-purpose	Clean, creamy flavor from grass-fed cows.
Elle & Vire	France	82%	Yes (Cultured)	Pastry, Sauces	Delicate, nuanced flavor profile.
Lactantia	Canada	82%	Yes (Cultured)	Baking, Sauces	Canadian brand with a distinctive tangy flavor.

Why Choose 82% Butterfat?

Choosing a butter with 82% fat content offers several culinary advantages. The higher butterfat means less water, which is a critical difference for specific applications. For laminated doughs, such as croissants or puff pastry, the reduced moisture content prevents the butter from steaming and instead helps create distinct, flaky layers. In sauces like hollandaise or béarnaise, the higher fat results in a more stable, emulsified, and richer finished product. For simple cooking, such as sautéing vegetables or searing meat, the richer flavor enhances the overall taste.

The Impact on Baking

Flakiness: In recipes for puff pastry, croissants, and pie crusts, the higher fat content contributes directly to creating more defined, tender, and flaky layers.
Tenderness: Cookies and cakes made with high-fat butter often have a more delicate, tender crumb and a richer flavor profile.
Color: The deeper, golden color found in many grass-fed European butters translates to a more visually appealing baked good.
Flavor: For recipes where butter is a primary flavor, such as shortbread, the rich, clean taste of a high-fat butter makes a world of difference.

How to Find Your Ideal 82% Fat Butter

When shopping for high-fat butter, first check the label for the butterfat percentage, which is often prominently displayed on European-style products. If you can't find it easily, check the nutritional information—a product with 82% fat will list 82 grams of total fat per 100 grams. Consider your specific needs; a cultured butter like Elle & Vire will offer a tangy flavor that is perfect for some pastries, while a sweet cream butter like Kerrygold will provide a clean, rich taste for all-purpose use.

In conclusion, understanding what brands of butter have 82 percent fat allows you to elevate your cooking and baking from good to exceptional. The richer flavor, creamier texture, and superior performance of these high-fat butters can transform a wide variety of recipes. With readily available brands like Kerrygold, Plugrá, and Anchor, achieving gourmet results at home is more accessible than ever. For more detailed information on European-style butter, read this guide from Epicurious.

The Difference in Fat Content

For a deeper understanding, consider the legal standards and production methods that influence butterfat levels. American butter must meet a minimum of 80% butterfat by law. In contrast, European regulations require a higher minimum, typically 82%. This difference stems from the churning process; European butter is churned longer, which expels more water and concentrates the butterfat. This not only affects the texture but also enhances the flavor by reducing the water content. This process creates a more pliable and rich product that is highly valued in fine cuisine and baking. The choice between American and European-style butter often comes down to the desired outcome in a recipe, with the 82% variant being the preferred choice for applications where the butter's character is meant to shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the ratio of fat to water. 82% butter has a higher fat and lower water content due to a longer churning process. This results in a richer flavor, creamier texture, and superior performance in baking, particularly for flaky pastries.

Yes, for butter to be legally classified as European-style, it must meet the standard of at least 82% butterfat, as dictated by European regulations.

Yes, Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter has an 82% butterfat content, giving it its rich, creamy texture and distinctively rich flavor.

Yes, Plugrá is a European-style butter made in the U.S. that contains 82% butterfat, making it a popular choice for baking.

For many baking applications, especially those requiring flakiness like puff pastry or pie crusts, 82% fat butter is considered superior. Its higher fat and lower moisture content creates a better structure and richer flavor.

The fat content is determined by the churning process, not just the cow's diet. However, many brands with 82% fat, such as Kerrygold and Anchor, use milk from grass-fed cows, which contributes to the butter's rich color and flavor.

You can find 82% fat butter at most major grocery stores, often in the specialty or dairy section. Brands like Kerrygold and Plugrá are widely distributed, while others may be available at specialty food stores or online retailers.