FREE Subscription
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter   
 
 
POSTED BY
February 12 2008
How to Make Your Own Butter

butterDuring the low-fat diet craze, many people learned, wrongly, to shun butter from their diets. Well, I’m going to tell you something that may be music to your ears: Butter can be a very healthy part of your diet.

In fact, butter, when made from grass-fed cows, is rich in a substance called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is not only known to help fight cancer and diabetes, but it may also help you to lose weight!

Much of the reason why butter was, and continues to be, vilified is because it contains saturated fat. If you’re still in the mindset that saturated fat is harmful for your health, then please read this past article to learn why saturated fat is actually good for you.

The reality is that most people -- about two-thirds of the U.S. population -- can include grass-fed butter in their diets and thrive! Those who may do better with lower fat choices are carb nutritional types (and are in the minority).

But there is one caveat. Ideally, your butter should be raw (unpasteurized), otherwise you’ll run into the health issues associated with all pasteurized dairy.

Making Your Own Butter

Getting back to the topic of this post, what better way to get healthy, tasty butter than to make it yourself?

The link below will take you step-by-step through the process of butter-making. I recommend, though, that in addition to seeking out cream from grass-fed cows, as the article recommends, that you also look for cream that is raw (you will likely need to join a food coop or speak to a farmer directly for this).

True, it takes a little more elbow grease to churn your own butter at home, but you’ll be left with butter that is vastly superior, in taste and nutrition, to anything you’ll find in a store.
Sources:

Did you find this article interesting?  Interesting Not Useful
Community Comments ( 75 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
Natalie_Carrad
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
13 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
I'd like to correct the author on one point. YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE VERY IMPRESSED WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTER. We've had dinner parties, gone to a lot of trouble to have amazing food and beverages, and it's the home made butter everone raves about. Don't know what they do to the commercial stuff (we know at least they add caramel colouring) but it's a distant cousin from the home made version.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Patty D
[ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on January 28, 2008 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I get raw Jersey milk for my kefir.  It is so full of cream I've often thought about trying to make my own butter because of the Factor X in raw milk butter.  I think I may try it now.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
limelemon
[ Joined on 05/07 ]  [ Posted on January 29, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Where do you get your raw milk in NJ.  I live in NJ.
Mercola
  
Patty D
[ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on January 29, 2008]
9 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Sorry, the Jersey refers to the kind of cow I'm getting my milk from, lol.  I live in SC.  Go to www.realmilk.com and find your state.  It will give you sources for raw milk :)
Mercola
  
seg
[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on January 30, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
See the dinger's in town again Patty......will offset both dings......childish behaviour really
  
  
CATRYNA
[ Joined on 07/06 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
I can't even imagine going to all that trouble to make butter.

Back in the 80's and 90's when my husband and I were raising our children we simply poured a pint of fresh raw cream into a quart canning jar and then the 6 of us would take turns shaking the jar while watching TV, until the cream separated into butter and butter milk. The butter milk, by the way, was sweet as regular raw milk. After washing the butter thoroughly, in cold water,  to get all of the butter milk residue out, I would salt it. We would then have a snack of fresh home made whole wheat bread with butter on it. I have now instituted our little tradition with our grandchildren.
They love it!
Catryna
 [ Reply ]
  
  
wassily
[ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
10 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Even if you don't eat butter, isn't it just fantastic to see such alovely piece of proper food, made with real care!
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Russ Bianchi
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on January 28, 2008 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
It's always BETTER with raw organic dairy fat based homemade BUTTER!
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Chris B
[ Joined on 02/08 ] [ Posted on February 12, 2008 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Novice User

The link is there, perhaps it isn't obvious to some...

This is the link: www.positron.org/.../butter

Hope that hleps!

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
jillshbrc
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 12, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Thanks.  This one did work but the one posted on the site did not.  Appreciate your help.

Jill

Mercola
  
A Storm
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 13, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I couldn't even find the link!!!  But I used yours and that seems like the hard way.

*** those of you out there who have an ice cream maker,  you can use that to make butter.  Just put the cream in it and turn it on.  It takes about 15 minutes.  You pour off the milk water (not the technical term but...) and your done!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love to mix in herbs, or roasted garlic, etc.  Honey would be great also for your breakfast toast, etc,   It really isn't complicated.  Kids used to make it in school just by shaking a glass jar if you need the exercise. You will see it separate itself and its done when it resembles nice, softened butter with a very watery milk sloshing around.  You can even freeze any extra (even with the herbs, etc in it) for another day.  How simple is that?!?

Everyone out there,  lets not make things harder than they need to be.  It scares off those who really do want good SIMPLE food.  The hard part may be finding the RAW milk.

Mercola
  
A Storm
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 13, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

PS.  Sorry, I forgot to add,  

If you want table butter,  add a little salt or it won't taste like what you expect.  If you will be cooking with it (cookies, etc.) don't add the salt.  That's how you buy it at the store, salted butter for the table and un-salted for baking.

Mercola
  
A Storm
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on February 13, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Again, I urge you, don't make things harder than they need to be for those who are just getting started.

You don't need cultures, etc. to make butter!!!!  JUST CREAM.  The butter is in the cream.  You may want to add salt after it is done but that's it.

Any moving kitchen appliance will do.  You mixer on low (maybe even with a dough paddle), food processor, ice cream maker,  a glass jar ...  Just watch it til you get an idea of the time it takes for that method.  I find that my ice cream maker with its paddle works the best because it has a timer and a lid to keep it from splashing.

If kids can make it,  YOU CAN !!

And don't forget to try it with some organic honey, leftover herbs or garlic!!!!!!!!!!

  
  
mamaofmany
[ Joined on 07/07 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Novice User
We used to make our own butter with heavy cream and salt, it was fun and easy. I wish I had access to raw cream so I could try this.
Maybe someday!
 [ Reply ]
  
  
boo boo
[ Joined on 05/07 ] [ Posted on February 12, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I make my own butter all the time.  You do NOT need a fancy churn.  You can use a quart jar with two marbles in it, keep it in constant motion (very important) for at least 30 minutes and you've got butter in no time.  I strain off the buttermilk and save it for further use, rinse the butter continuously until the water runs clear, slap it into an unvarnished wooden bowl to squeeze out the remaining liquid, and put it into a container to eat.  It's much more simple that this article would lead you to believe.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
CO Crunch
[ Joined on 09/07 ]  [ Posted on February 23, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

My 5 yr old son and I made butter a couple weeks ago.  We put cream in a jar and shook.  After awhile used a whisk as a churn.  Yum!  Didn't squeeze it or anything but it was good.

  
  
byrne
[ Joined on 08/07 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Novice User
This is a great article. Here in California, real buttermilk is not legal for commercial sale. I am planning on getting my own churn..  
 [ Reply ]
  
  
moo
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on January 29, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Savvy User