What is ghee: the properties and uses of this 'butter'
Nutrition

What is ghee: the properties and uses of this 'butter'

By Eloísa Carmona - 2020-07-15T17:48:22Z
The modern world is constantly discovering ingredients that contribute more to our health, for example, using ghee for cooking, but what is ghee and how is this ‘butter’ used?Before ghee, there was coconut oil, with benefits such as being a ‘good fat,’ which contains no cholesterol, but ghee also contains Omega-3 fatty acids and butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid considered good for the gastrointestinal tract.On the other hand, what makes ghee stand out among all the fats available is its slightly sweet and nutty flavor.What is ghee?Ghee is clarified butter, meaning it is the result of cooking and simmering butter to remove all the water until the milk solids begin to brown slightly, giving it a caramelized and slightly nutty touch.Since the milk solids are strained and only a golden, clear cooking oil remains, ghee is ideal for lactose-intolerant individuals.Thus, this clarified butter acts as a concentrate of saturated fats, whose properties include Omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (which may have an anticancer effect), and butyric acid.Additionally, it provides fat-soluble vitamins, specifically vitamins A, E, K2, and B12, though the latter in a small amount; minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, zinc, copper, and selenium, and since it is a fatty food, it has a high caloric content.Ghee has been used for a long time in countries like India and plays a key role in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, where it is valued for its anti-inflammatory, digestive, and therapeutic properties.For example, in Ayurveda, it is used to relieve constipation or even as a topical remedy for burns or skin conditions.Among the most common uses of this clarified butter is for making breads, but ghee works in both savory and sweet recipes.For example, you can use ghee for a citrus braised chicken, to brown some baby potatoes, to make curry, or to make the famous Ayurvedic moon milk recipe.You can find ghee in organic product stores or even make it yourself from good quality butter, but the important thing is to encourage yourself to try this type of fat that can be stored in the pantry without refrigeration and withstands high temperatures without burning.