Who: This has been used in kitchens all throughout India for thousands of years. More importantly its heavy usage was due to the laundry list of health benefits (which we’ll get to in “why”). While the cooks in the kitchen were (and are) putting it in every dish possible, the Ayurvedic Doctors relied on its healing properties to treat patients. That’s right, they were building entire treatment centers in India around this special product before we knew what electricity was.
Fast forward to current days, it seems like everyone is asking where you can get some. The Paleo community depends on it as one of the top 3 fat sources in their diets right next to Coconut Oil and Tallow. If you haven’t heard about Ghee yet, you will, we promise. It’s just a matter of time.
What: Technically speaking its Lactose Free and Casein Free Clarified Butter. Butter that has been boiled at a certain heat point so that all of the milk solids are removed from the butter. “What’s in the milk solids” you ask? That’s where all the lactose and casein sit so when we burn it off, it collects and drops to the bottom of the pan.
It’s starting to pop up in groceries stores all over the country for good reason, it is an arduous process and takes time to learn. For people on the go, time is of the essence and taking 2 hours to make this every couple weeks just isn’t a possibility for some of us.
BUYER BEWARE: This is the most important thing we can say about Ghee you buy in the stores. You’re probably getting the worst of the worst butter as the base for your Ghee when you’re purchasing from a big box super market. They often take the salted or unsalted butter that doesn’t sell, and then at the end of the shelf life they turn it into Ghee. Because of the 14-18 month shelf life they have now extended the life of their butter and made an extra dollar on something that was potentially lost. Smart on their part but the consumers that care, need to take the extra step of researching when buying their Ghee. Your Ghee should last about 18 months unrefrigerated on a shelf in a dark can away from the light. If you store it properly and use it within 18 months of manufacturing, it should not go rancid. No need to refrigerate it if it was made properly!
Where: Milk from Ireland isn’t certified organic but thats because the label doesn't exist out there. We spent the time looking for butter that has not been treated with Growth Hormone, Antibiotics or non GMO grass/feed.
When: All the time. Seriously, we eat about 4-5 tablespoons of it a day. “BUT THAT’S A LOT OF FAT” , you say. Yes it is, but it’s also why we stay full and away from carbs. You can start introducing it to your kids as soon as they’re on solids. That’s right!!! Its full of healthy fats and Tonalin CLA.
Always consult a doctor or nutritionist when deciding the best diet/life style for you and your family.
Why: The most important reason for us personally is, it makes us feel good and it tastes good. It tastes REALLY good. It is one of those products that you can enjoy and reap a tremendous amount of health benefits.
Tonalin CLA: Short for Conjugated Linoleic Acid, this fatty acid packs a punch, crucial in maintaining a healthy metabolism and weight management. We are often asked “how do vegetarians get their Tonalin CLA if they don’t eat meat?” Ghee. That’s how.
1:1 Omega Fatty Acid Ratio: If you’re sourcing the right milk for your butter/ghee, you should be getting a 1:1 Omega3 to Omega6 Amino Fatty Acid Ratio. This is huge in making it possible to consume significant amounts of the Ghee without all the health risks associated with other oils like Corn and Vegetable Oil.
Use in Ayurvedic Medicine: It is often prescribed for its healing and soothing elements. It naturally cools the inside of the body and works well with all Tri Doshas: Kapha, Pitta: Vatta. There are treatments available through the United States using Ghee for different treatments. An example of treatments includes using Ghee in eye baths for strained or chronic dry eyes. It is often used to overcome moderate IBD issues and leaky gut. We recommend finding Holistic or Ayurvedic practitioner to help you find the best solution for you.
Excellent for nursing mothers: It’s a great way to add healthy fats to your diet while bringing nutrient dense properties into the breast milk and onto your baby.
How: This is the most frequently asked question when we’re talking about ghee. “It tastes great but how the heck do I use it?” You can treat it exactly like butter. It melts into liquid above room temp so it spreads over your cooked or steamed veggies w/ no microwaving or heating.
You can also use it to cook with at a ridiculously high smoke point. The smoke point on Ghee (if prepared properly) is about 485 Degrees. You heard us right. Canola and Corn oil smoke at about 225 degrees. That means you can cook your meats and veggies in a pan with this stuff, and then pour the left over bits on top of your dish!
Don’t over think it when it comes to ghee, its fun to play with so be creative in the kitchen! Try it on some warm corn tortillas or over a bed of rice with light seasoning. If you’re low carb or grain free, then try it on your sweet potatoes or veggie medley.
