FAQ
What is ghee?
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that originates in South Asia. Ghee has been used for thousands of years as a cooking oil and in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ghee is a staple food in South Asian households all across the world.
how is ghee made?
Ghee is made by simmering butter on a low temperature until the milk solids separate from the butter oil. While the butter is simmering, the moisture present in the butter evaporates. When the ghee is finished, it is strained through cheesecloth, leaving behind the pure butter oil.
What are the benefits of ghee?
Ghee is great for cooking because it is heat stable, which means it doesn't burn like olive oil or butter, which have lower smoke points. This means it is safe to cook with at higher temperatures without the risk of creating damaging free radicals. Ghee also has many health benefits which you can read about here.
WHAT IS GHEE USED FOR?
Traditionally, ghee is used as a cooking oil. However, since ghee is essentially concentrated butter so it can be used as a butter upgrade for just about anything! Try it on popcorn, corn on the cob, or toast, if you so desire.
Can I use ghee in baking?
Yes, ghee can be used in place of butter for baking. When substituting ghee for butter in baking, use 3/4 the amount of butter that the recipe calls for.
Why is it called 'ghee'?
Ghee is the name of the Indian recipe for clarified butter. It is different than common clarified butter because it is cooked until the milk solids caramelize, resulting in a rich, nutty flavour.
What is the smoke point of ghee?
The smoke point of ghee is 250 degrees C. It would be very difficult to burn ghee, even if you wanted to.
I thought that butter was bad for me. Why is ghee considered healthy?
Not all ghee is created equal. Ghee is considered healthy as long as it comes from organic, preferably grass-fed butter, which has a higher omega 3:6 ratio than conventional butter and is full of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Organic ghee doesn't contain any pesticides, hormones, antiobiotics or GMOs. It also does't contain any hydrogenated oils like vegetable ghee or most commercial ghee on the market.
Is your ghee made from grass-fed butter?
Lee's Ghee is made from mostly grass-fed butter from June to November. Since we source our dairy from local farms, we have the restriction of the weather in Canada which doesn't allow for cows to be on pasture all year long. However, Canadian organic certification for dairy requires that the cows be fed grass whenever possible.
Is ghee considered dairy?
Ghee is indeed considered to be a form of dairy. Although it has the dairy solids removed, rendering it easier to digest than most dairy, it is still technically dairy as it comes from cow's milk.
Is ghee safe for those who are lactose-intolerant?
Ghee is generally safe for those who are lactose-intolerant, as 98% of the lactose is removed. If you have a dairy allergy, you should always consult your healthcare practitioner before consuming ghee.
Does ghee have to be refrigerated?
Ghee does not require refrigeration, as all the moisture and impurities have been removed. However, you can refrigerate if you like. It will be more solid when refrigerated and more liquid at room temperature.
how do you store ghee?
Keep your jar of ghee in a dry, cool place such as in a pantry. When using it, always dip in with a clean spoon and close lid after each use.
What is the shelf life of ghee?
As long as ghee is uncontaminated and kept in a dry, cool place, it will last a very long time. The shelf life on all our products is 1 year although it has been known to last even longer.
Why is some ghee solid and some ghee liquid?
Ghee is similar to coconut oil in the sense that it liquifies when it is above 20 degrees C. This is totally normal and does not compromise the quality of the ghee. Ghee will return to a semi-solid consistency when it returns to below 20 degrees C.