Butter might be a humble kitchen staple, but not all butters are created equal. If you’re spreading, baking, or sautéing with conventional butter, it might be time to upgrade your stick.
Conventional butter usually comes from cows raised in confined feedlots and fed a grain-heavy diet of corn and soy. The result? A paler butter that’s lower in key nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). While it gets the job done, it’s missing the rich flavor and nutritional punch that butter lovers crave.
Pasture-raised butter, on the other hand, comes from cows that graze on grass for most of the year. That grass-based diet gives the butter a golden-yellow hue and a more complex, creamy flavor. More importantly, it’s packed with healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds that support heart and brain health.
There’s also the bigger picture to consider. Pasture-raised butter supports ethical animal treatment and regenerative farming practices that improve soil health and reduce environmental impact.
Sure, pasture butter often comes with a higher price tag, but it’s worth every penny for the superior taste, nutrition, and peace of mind. Look for labels like grass-fed or pasture-raised from reputable farms.
