Which is the best real butter to buy?

According to the USDA, butter must be at least 80% milkfat, but taste and texture vary widely among brands. This guide will help you determine which is the best real butter to buy, based on factors like butterfat content, flavor profile, and intended use, ensuring you select the perfect product for your needs.

Quick Summary

Deciding which butter is best depends on its intended use, from spreading to baking, and considers factors like butterfat content, flavor, and cow's diet. European-style and grass-fed varieties often offer richer flavor and better texture, while unsalted options provide control for bakers.

Key Points

• High Fat Content: European-style butters typically have a higher butterfat percentage (82-86%) than American butter (~80%), resulting in a richer flavor and flakier pastries.

• Grass-Fed Flavor: Butter from grass-fed cows, like Kerrygold, has a deeper yellow color and a more complex, grassy flavor due to the cows' diet.

• Sweet vs. Cultured: Sweet cream butter is mild and versatile, while cultured butter undergoes fermentation, giving it a distinct, tangy flavor prized by many bakers and chefs.

• Unsalted for Baking: For best baking results, especially in pastries, opt for unsalted butter to control the precise salt levels in your recipe.

• Match Butter to Application: Use high-fat butters for flaky pastries and finishing sauces, while everyday cooking and general spreading can use a more standard sweet cream butter.

• Consider the Cost: Higher butterfat and artisanal butters are more expensive but deliver superior flavor and texture that can be worth the splurge for special dishes.

Understanding the Different Types of Real Butter

Beyond the basic salted and unsalted varieties, real butter comes in several styles influenced by production methods and the cows' diet. Each style offers a distinct flavor and texture profile, making some more suitable for specific culinary tasks.

American vs. European-Style Butter

The primary difference between American and European-style butter is the butterfat content. American butter has a minimum of 80% butterfat, while European-style butter must have at least 82%. This seemingly small difference has a major impact on the final product.

• American Butter: With a slightly higher water content, American butter is firmer and has a milder flavor. It's an all-purpose choice, good for everyday use, but doesn't produce the same flaky, rich results in pastries as its European counterpart.
• European-Style Butter: The lower water content and higher fat percentage create a richer, creamier texture and more intense flavor. This makes it ideal for baking laminated doughs like croissants and puff pastry, where a luxurious mouthfeel is desired. Many American creameries now produce excellent European-style butters.

Sweet Cream vs. Cultured Butter

Another key distinction is whether the cream is cultured or sweet.

• Sweet Cream Butter: This is the most common type of butter in the U.S., made from pasteurized fresh cream. It has a clean, mild, and subtly sweet flavor that is highly versatile.
• Cultured Butter: To create cultured butter, live bacterial cultures are added to the cream before churning, allowing it to ferment. This process adds a distinct, slightly tangy flavor reminiscent of buttermilk or yogurt. Many artisanal and high-end butters are cultured.

Grass-Fed Butter

Made from the milk of cows that graze primarily on grass, grass-fed butter is a popular choice for its flavor and nutritional profile.

• Flavor and Color: The beta-carotene in grass gives this butter a richer, deeper yellow color and a more complex, grassy flavor.
• Nutritional Benefits: Grass-fed butter tends to be higher in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are associated with health benefits.

Best Butter Recommendations for Specific Uses

Choosing the best butter depends heavily on its purpose. A butter perfect for a simple slice of toast might not be the best choice for delicate pastries. Here is a curated list of top brands for various applications.

For Spreading and Finishing

For a truly standout flavor that shines on toast or melts over vegetables, consider these brands:

• Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter: This is a consistent favorite for its velvety texture, golden color, and rich, grassy flavor from grass-fed cows.
• Isigny Ste Mère: A Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) French butter, this is a premium option prized for its complex, tangy, and almost cheesy flavor.
• Bordier: A top-tier artisanal French butter, hand-kneaded to perfection with a deep, rich flavor and a silky texture.

For Everyday Cooking and General Use

For an all-purpose, reliable option that won't break the bank, these butters offer great value and consistent performance:

• Cabot Extra Creamy: A solid American-style option with a reliable performance and a pleasing creamy taste.
• Finlandia Imported Butter: This is a rich, European-style butter with a balanced flavor, making it a versatile choice for many dishes.
• Land O'Lakes: A classic American sweet cream butter that is widely available and performs consistently in a variety of recipes.

For Baking (Especially Pastries)

When high butterfat content is crucial for flaky pastries and tender baked goods, opt for these butters:

• Plugrá European-Style: Specifically created for professional chefs and serious bakers, this American-made butter has an 82% butterfat content, making it excellent for laminated doughs.
• Vital Farms Pasture-Raised: With an impressive 85% butterfat, this grass-fed butter excels in creating tender shortbreads and flaky pie crusts.
• Vermont Creamery Cultured: Offering an 82% butterfat content and a lovely tangy flavor, this is a fantastic option for adding depth to baked goods.

Comparison Table: How to Choose the Best Real Butter

Feature	American-Style Butter	European-Style Butter	Cultured Butter	Grass-Fed Butter
Butterfat Content	~80%	82-86%	82-85%	Varies, often high (82%+)
Water Content	Higher (20%)	Lower (14-16%)	Lower (15-18%)	Lower
Flavor Profile	Mild, clean, sweet cream	Richer, creamier, intense butter flavor	Tangy, slightly acidic, buttermilk-like	Complex, earthy, grassy
Color	Paler, more ivory	Deeper golden-yellow	Often deep yellow	Brighter yellow from beta-carotene
Best For...	All-purpose cooking, classic baking	Laminated pastries (croissants), finishing sauces	Spreading, adding depth to certain sauces, pastries	Spreading, baking, adding complex flavor
Typical Price	Lower	Higher	Higher	Higher

Making Your Final Decision

The best real butter for you is a personal choice that depends on your cooking style, budget, and flavor preferences. If you are a prolific baker of elaborate pastries, a high-fat European-style butter might be worth the investment. For a special treat on toast, a premium grass-fed or cultured butter offers a flavor experience that stands apart from standard supermarket brands. However, a good-quality, affordable American-style butter works perfectly fine for most everyday cooking. The key takeaway is to choose a pure, real butter and match its characteristics to the needs of your recipe. Remember, unsalted butter is generally preferred by bakers for precise salt control, while salted butter is a convenient choice for table use. The extra effort in selecting a quality butter can dramatically enhance the final taste of your food. For more information on butter varieties and their applications, you can explore resources like Epicurious's guide on different types of butter.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best real butter to buy isn't a single product but a considered choice based on your culinary goals. For rich flavor and texture, prioritize grass-fed or high-fat European-style butters like Kerrygold or Vital Farms. If precise salt control is paramount for baking, always reach for unsalted butter, but consider a cultured option like Vermont Creamery for added tang. For general use, a reliable sweet cream butter from a reputable American brand will serve you well. By understanding the key differences in fat content, production methods, and flavor profiles, you can confidently navigate the dairy aisle and select the perfect butter for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between salted and unsalted butter?

Salted butter has salt added during the production process for flavor and as a preservative, while unsalted butter has no added salt. Unsalted is preferred for baking to control the salt content, whereas salted is convenient for general cooking and spreading.

Is European-style butter better for baking than American butter?

For many pastries, yes. European-style butter has a higher butterfat content and lower water content than American butter, which contributes to a richer flavor and a flakier, more tender texture in baked goods like croissants and pie crusts.

What is cultured butter?

Cultured butter is made from cream that has been fermented with live bacterial cultures, a process similar to making yogurt or sour cream. This gives the butter a distinctive, tangy, and complex flavor.

Does grass-fed butter taste different?

Yes, butter from grass-fed cows often has a deeper yellow color and a richer, more complex flavor with grassy notes, due to the beta-carotene from the cows' diet.

Why is Kerrygold butter so popular?

Kerrygold is popular for its high quality and flavor. It is a grass-fed Irish butter with a high butterfat content, giving it a rich, creamy, and distinct flavor that many people prefer for spreading and cooking.

Can I substitute salted butter for unsalted in a baking recipe?

You can, but it is not ideal for recipes where precise salt content is important. If you must substitute, use 1/4 teaspoon less salt for every 1/2 cup (113 grams) of salted butter used, and be aware that the flavor may be slightly different.

Is a higher butterfat percentage always better?

It depends on the application. A higher butterfat percentage (e.g., 82-85%) leads to a richer flavor and is excellent for pastries. For everyday use or in certain recipes like cookies, a standard 80% butterfat is perfectly sufficient and often more affordable.