Avonmore has launched the first clarified ghee butter onto the Irish market, aimed at anyone with an interest in home cooking. Ghee, which originated in India thousands of years ago, has become a recognised superfood amongst health and flavour conscious foodies.

Clarified butter has become a firm favourite on the cooking scene for many reasons, largely down to how it’s made. Ghee is made by gently heating cows’ milk butter until its water content evaporates and its milk solids can be skimmed and strained away. This clarification process gives ghee a higher smoke point since the milk solids are what causes dairy butter to burn, making it ideal for cooking at high temperatures and with full flavour. This process also means that ghee is naturally lactose-free, while the removal of water and milk fats intensifies the flavour.

Glanbia Head Product Development Chef, Barry Foley, said: “Unlike oils, cooking with ghee is extremely versatile due to its higher smoking point. It does not burn like butter or get bitter like olive oil. It adds another depth of flavour because of its rich and slightly nutty flavour. Taste and flavour, not to mention a plethora of health benefits when compared to refined cooking oils, means that ghee is a kitchen essential for the modern cook.”

According to research by Bord Bia, seven out of 10 Irish people want to eat more healthily and this number is rising every year as the healthy living movement gains momentum across the board. In 2020, 94% of Irish shoppers were cooking or baking from home, with 32% of these consumers indicating that they regularly cook their meals from scratch. As two thirds of these consumers expect to continue in this vein, there has never been a better time to introduce Avonmore Pure Ghee Butter into their cooking repertoire.

Ghee butter is as versatile as it is delicious; just take the trend of ‘bulletproof coffee’ which sees fans of the superfood drop a dollop in their coffee for its inherent health benefits. It’s equally popular as a spread on toast or as a finishing touch on perfectly steamed veg. For some culinary inspiration, Avonmore have compiled a collection of delicious recipes using ghee butter which can be found at www.cookwithavonmore.ie

Shoppers will find Avonmore Pure Irish Ghee in the butter aisle and it retails at €4 per 227g tub. Since the milk solids have been removed, ghee lasts longer than regular dairy butter with a shelf life of nine months, making it the secret weapon of choice for aspiring foodies everywhere.