Ghee Buyers Guide- Compare Best Ghee Brands

Ghee is making the rounds in foody and health-food circles lately, and for good reason. Ghee is clarified butter, and when it is used in cooking or the preparation of food, it can have amazing benefits for your health. It can even be used on to improve your skin!

What is Ghee?

Ghee is made by simmering butter over low heat for a very long time. During this process, the water naturally found in the milk is evaporated, and the milk fats are separated from the remaining compounds, which is ghee. Ghee is a purer form of animal fat than regular butter, and it has a higher smoke point, which means it can be heated to a higher temperature before it starts to smoke and burn.

What are the Benefits of Ghee?

Ghee has been used in Indian cooking for centuries, and it has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for just as long. It is a versatile cooking oil that does not go rancid quickly and can be stored at room temperature. It imparts a nutty, earthy flavor to foods, as well.

Ghee has been prized for hundreds of years for its ability to improve digestion, and more recently, we have come to understand its benefits as a source of healthy, essential fatty acids, especially omega-3s and omega-9s. Ghee also contains Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are all necessary for good health.

For those who are sensitive to lactose, ghee is an excellent alternative, as all the lactose and casein have been removed during the clarification process. Ghee is traditionally made from the butter of grass-fed cows, and quality ghee should come from animals that are free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, pesticides, and GMOs. This makes it a natural product that is safe to use.

Ghee is used in cooking in place of coconut or olive oil or regular butter. It can be used at higher temperatures, so it is suitable for searing or roasting. It can even be used for frying or baking.

Ghee’s primary benefit is that it is a source of conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. This fatty acid is known to be protective against artery plaque, carcinogens, and even diabetes. That means that replacing other fats in your diet with ghee, along with making other healthy lifestyle changes, can lower your risk of developing heart disease.

As a less-processed, healthier fat, ghee is an excellent alternative to the consumption of trans fatty acids and other, unhealthy oils. But ghee also helps in other aspects of your health. It is a rich source of butyric acid, which is a short-chain fatty acid that nourishes the cells of your digestive tract. Ghee can reduce symptoms of many inflammatory conditions, help you better digest your food, repair a leaky gut, and thereby enhance the functioning of your immune system.

Ghee can even be used on your skin to heal burns and rashes as well as provide general moisturization. It is no wonder this food has been used for centuries by millions of people!

How do I Select the Best Ghee?

There are many excellent ghee manufacturers today. You can buy ghee imported directly from India, or you can find high-quality suppliers in the US, as well. You want to be sure that you are purchasing ghee made solely from animal milk, usually cow or buffalo milk, and not vegetable ghee. This type of artificial ghee is loaded with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is not healthy for you. Be sure to avoid ghee that contains palm oil, which is not only unhealthy for you but also for our planet. If you are unsure of the ingredients in the product, do not buy it.

Do not purchase ghee with added spices, colors, or flavorings. You want pure ghee with nothing else added. Spiced ghee is becoming more popular, but it limits what you can add it to since it is already flavored.

Purchase your ghee from a reputable manufacturer, and always read the label before buying. If you have never bought ghee before, it is a good idea to read some reviews of the various products you are considering, to see how others are using or enjoying the product.