What is grass-fed butter? Explaining the differences from regular butter and how to enjoy it.
In recent years, with the growing interest in health, “grass-fed butter” has been gaining attention. While it may have a vague image of being good for your health, some people may wonder, “What's the difference between this and regular butter?” or “How should I enjoy it?”
Grass-fed butter is butter made from the milk of cows raised primarily on grass, and differs from regular butter in terms of nutritional value and flavor. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about grass-fed butter, including its basic characteristics, how it differs from regular butter, and recommended ways to enjoy it.
In the latter half of this article, we will also introduce our carefully selected grass-fed butter sandwiches, which are recommended for those who are interested in health and beauty, as well as those who practice a ketogenic diet. Please read on to the end.
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What is grass-fed butter?
Grass-fed butter, as the name suggests, is butter made from the milk of cows that are fed grass, i.e., cows whose main diet consists of grass.
Generally speaking, it is difficult to raise cattle on grass alone due to feeding efficiency and cost considerations. For this reason, as described below, feed is often provided in the form of a mixture of grain feed and grass.
On the other hand, grass-fed butter is made using milk from cows raised on a diet consisting mainly of grass, which is closer to their natural diet. This results in differences in nutritional value and flavor, as described below.
What is the difference between grass-fed butter and regular butter?
So, what exactly are the differences between grass-fed butter and the regular butter we commonly see at supermarkets? Let's compare them based on the following five points.
| item | grass-fed butter | regular butter |
|---|---|---|
| Differences in breeding methods | pasture-based grazing | grain-based feeding |
| price difference | generally expensive | relatively inexpensive |
| color difference | cream-colored (yellowish) | light cream color |
| difference in taste | rich and full-bodied | Mild and refreshing |
| Nutritional differences | Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K2 | general nutritional value |
・Differences in breeding methods
When making grass-fed butter, cows are allowed to graze freely on vast pastures and are raised mainly on grass. This method of raising cows in an environment closer to nature is characterized by low stress on the cows.
On the other hand, when making regular butter, cows are mainly raised in barns and fed feed that includes corn, bran, soybeans, and other grains in addition to grass.
・price difference
Grass-fed butter tends to be more expensive than regular butter. This is because raising cows on grass alone requires vast amounts of land, which takes more time and costs more than raising them on feed mixed with grains.
In Japan, in particular, large-scale grazing land is difficult to secure due to land constraints, making domestically produced grass-fed butter rare. Most of the grass-fed butter available in Japan is imported from New Zealand and Australia, where dairy farming is well developed.。
・color difference
グGrass-fed butter is characterized by its bright yellow color. Regular butter is cream-colored (milky white), closer to white.
This color difference comes from the grass that the cows eat. Grass contains high levels of beta-carotene, an orange pigment, which is why grass-fed butter is yellow.
・difference in taste
Most people think of butter as having a rich, milky flavor. However, grass-fed butter has a light, refreshing taste with a mild aftertaste that allows you to enjoy the natural flavor of the ingredients.
It's not that one is better than the other; it's recommended to use them according to your preferences and intended use. The light flavor of grass-fed butter adds a refined taste to dishes and desserts.
・Nutritional differences
Grass-fed butter is believed to be rich in nutrients derived from the grass that cows eat. Specifically, it tends to contain higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid), which are essential fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body, compared to regular butter.
Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid are components that have beneficial effects on the body and are attracting attention from people who are interested in health and dieting. The fact that these nutrients can be easily consumed is one of the major attractions of grass-fed butter.。
In addition, grass-fed butter is said to contain higher levels of beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K2, and iron derived from grass compared to regular butter.
How to enjoy grass-fed butter
Nutritious and flavorful, grass-fed butter can be used in a variety of dishes and desserts. Here are some recommended ways to enjoy it.
・butter toast
Simple buttered toast is a recommended way to enjoy the flavor of grass-fed butter directly. Heating brings out the milky flavor and creates an appetizing aroma. The refreshing aftertaste makes it easy to eat, even for those who find buttered toast a little heavy.
・butter coffee
Butter coffee is popular among health-conscious individuals and those following a ketogenic diet. It is easy to make: simply add unsalted grass-fed butter and MCT oil to freshly brewed hot coffee, then blend thoroughly with a mixer or blender.
By thoroughly mixing butter, oil, and coffee, the ingredients emulsify to create a creamy, rich flavor reminiscent of café au lait. Because it is filling, some people incorporate it into their breakfast as a substitute for dieting.
MCT oil is an oil extracted solely from medium-chain fatty acids, a natural component found in coconuts and palm fruits. It is said to be easier to convert into energy than regular oils and less likely to be stored as body fat.
・omelet
Simply replacing the butter you normally use in your omelet with grass-fed butter will elevate the flavor to the next level. The rich milk flavor that comes out when heated blends perfectly with the eggs. It's also perfect for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
・steak
Grass-fed butter goes exceptionally well with steak. When you place grass-fed butter on top of a hot steak, it slowly melts, releasing its rich aroma throughout the entire dish.
After grilling the steak, combine the remaining meat juices with grass-fed butter, and add soy sauce, garlic, herbs, or other seasonings to taste, then simmer to create a flavorful steak sauce.
・cookie
We also recommend replacing the butter used in cookie recipes with grass-fed butter. Compared to regular butter, it gives a refined, light, and mild flavor. It is ideal for recipes where you want to bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Features of NATUVIEW's Grass-Fed Butter Sandwiches
“I want to enjoy delicious food while maintaining a healthy diet.” NATUVIEW, a brand specializing in keto foods, is the answer to this desire. NATUVIEW offers baked goods made with luxurious grass-fed butter.
Here are some of the features of NATUVIEW's Grass-Fed Butter Sandwiches.
Grass-fed butter sandwich Click here≫≫
・Made with grass-fed butter from New Zealand
ATUVIEW's butter sandwiches are made with 100% grass-fed butter sourced from cows raised in the lush pastures of New Zealand, where they are fed only grass. This butter contains nutrient-rich milk fat from pasture-raised cows, offering a rich flavor and creamy texture that you can enjoy to the fullest. It also makes an excellent gift for those who are health-conscious.
・Made with plant-derived oils
The oils used in NATUVIEW's grass-fed butter sandwiches are limited to two types: extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil.
Olive oil is a vegetable oil made by pressing olive fruit. Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is rich in flavor and contains polyphenols and vitamin E, which have antioxidant properties.
Coconut oil is an oil carefully extracted from the fat contained in coconut milk, which is squeezed from the flesh of coconuts using a centrifuge or similar device. It is rich in MCT oil, which is also used in butter coffee.
NATUVIEW is committed to using only the finest ingredients to create body-friendly confections.
・低糖質かつグルテンフリー
NATUVIEWのグラスフェッドバターサンドは、おいしさはそのままに、従来のものと比べて糖質を大幅にカット。糖質制限中の方にもおすすめです。
さらに、小麦粉を使用しないグルテンフリーを実現しており、ケトジェニックダイエットに取り組んでいる方、普段からグルテンフリーの食生活を送っている方でも召し上がれます。グラスフェッドバターの豊かな風味と、サクサクとしたクッキーの絶妙なハーモニーをお楽しみください。
グラスフェッドバターに関してよくある質問
最後に、グラスフェッドバターに関してよく寄せられる質問をQ＆A形式でまとめました。
・グラスフェッドバターの主な原産地は？
グラスフェッドバターは、主にニュージーランドやオーストラリアなど、広大な土地で放牧が盛んな国々で生産されています。特にニュージーランドは「酪農王国」とも呼ばれており、国全体でグラスフェッドに取り組んでいるのが特徴です。ニュージーランドは乳製品の国内消費量が比較的少なく、多くが輸出されています。
日本でも一部、放牧による酪農が行われていますが、土地の確保が難しいため、国産のグラスフェッドバターは非常に希少です。
・グラスフェッドバターの保存方法は？
基本的に一般的なバターと同様に、冷蔵保存または冷凍保存が可能です。長期間保存したい場合は、使いやすい量に小分けにしてラップで包み、さらにジッパー付き保存袋などに入れて冷凍保存すると良いでしょう。冷凍したバターを炒め物などの加熱調理に使う場合は、解凍せずにそのままフライパンに入れることができます。なお、開封後は酸化が進みやすいため、賞味期限にかかわらず早めに使い切りましょう。
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