Next time you need a creamy, slightly tangy, and unique table butter that will intrigue your guests, consider Amish butter. Also known as roll butter for its log-shaped packaging, Amish butter is a slow-churned butter that is typically richer and creamier than regular stick butter. This flavorful butter has been produced for generations by family-owned and operated farms, but we're just beginning to see it pop up in local grocery stores.
If you're on the fence about trying Amish butter, here are all your questions answered, including what it is, how it compares to regular stick butter, how to store it, and where to buy it. Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about this dairy trend, so you have the confidence to pick up a roll of your own.
What Is Amish Butter?
Amish butter is a USA-made, small-batch, slow-churned butter. It's traditionally hand-rolled and wrapped in parchment paper. The hand-rolled log of butter is the signature detail that distinguishes Amish butter from regular butter. However, some companies sell individually wrapped 1/4-pound sticks of butter like you're used to.
The nostalgic, pastoral imagery printed on Amish butter labels appeals to customers who favor artisanal, specialty products. However, not all companies produce butter that is handmade by the Amish. Lots of Amish-style butter on the market is actually made in big factories in huge industrial butter churners, churning at a slow rate to achieve the same product.
Amish Butter vs. Regular Butter
While both types of butter can be suitable for baking, there are a few key differences, including where it is made, what it is made from, its buttermilk content, its shape, and when it's best to use it.
Origin
Authentic Amish butter is produced in or near historically Amish communities in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Companies often rely on Amish farmers to provide cows' milk for their butter and hire Amish employees.
The cows are often pasture-raised, which means that they graze on grass and live outside the confines of barns. (Their diet is usually supplemented with grains, which means that it is unlikely butter will be labeled as 100% grass-fed).
On the other hand, regular butter is typically made in factories and is also typically made from cows' milk, though it can be made from a few other milk-producing animals (but not all milk-producing animals), such as goats.
Butterfat Content
Amish butter has a higher butterfat content than regular butter. Amish butter usually sits at about 84% or 85% butterfat, rivaling European butter.
Regular USDA Grade AA butter contains 80% butterfat. The higher butterfat results in a creamier, richer product with more flavor than average butter.
Shape
The shape of Amish butter is the most obvious distinguisher from regular U.S. butter. The Amish kind is most commonly hand-rolled into one or two-pound logs and hand-wrapped in parchment paper. Regular butter is molded and cut into sticks, then wrapped by a machine.
When to Use
Similar to European butter, we recommend using Amish butter when the unique flavor and high butterfat content will noticeably improve your baked good (e.g., pie crust and shortbread cookies).
If butter is a small component of your dish, or will be masked by more prominent flavors (like bolognese sauce), save your good stuff for another time, and stick with regular butter (see what we did there?).
Cost
While regular stick butter in the U.S. is sold for around $4 per pound, you can find Amish butter for anywhere from about $7 to $20 per pound.
Amish Country Roll Butter sells their two-pound logs for $13.29 while Minerva Dairy sells its butter in bundles of three two-pound logs for $54.95. However, you can find a one-pound roll for about $7, such as this one from Country Village Meats.
While Amish Butter is more expensive, it can be worth buying for specific recipes where the rich, creamy texture will greatly enhance the texture, or perhaps for a fancy dinner party to bring something different to the table.
What Does Amish Butter Taste Like?
Amish butter's flavor is complex, rich, slightly tangy, and incredibly creamy. It is a bit salty and easily easily enhances baked goods. The unique flavor is even more noticeable when against regular butter; the Amish product is far more natural and milky. Regular butter, on the other hand, has a more bland and mellow flavor in comparison.
How to Store Amish Butter
The best way to store any kind of butter is in the refrigerator. Refrigerated butter can stay good for up to three months. However, you can keep butter at room temperature on the countertop in a butter dish for up to a week or in a butter crock (also known as a butter bell) for up to 30 days. If looking for a long-term storage solution, you can store your butter in the freezer to keep it fresh for up to a year.
It is always important to check your butter for spoilage before using it. Any butter that has a sour or foul smell should be thrown away. You can also tell if your butter has gone rancid if the texture has changed, if there's any discoloration, or if there's any mold growth.
Where to Buy Amish Butter
Although Amish butter hasn't made its way to mainstream markets everywhere, many natural and specialty markets carry it. The most common brands of Amish hand-rolled butter include:
If you're lucky enough to live close to an Amish community, you just might be able to purchase some of their hand-churned butter right from the source. Check out where to find an Amish market near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in Amish Butter?
Amish butter typically only has two ingredients: pasteurized cream and salt. However, it can be found in both salted and unsalted varieties, just like stick butter. Its slow-churning method creates a creamy and rich flavor. Amish butter is low on carbs, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
Is Amish Butter healthier than regular stick butter?
Amish butter is not healthier than stick butter. In fact, the two types of butter don't differ much nutritionally. Both Amish butter and regular U.S. butter are added fat, and because of this, they are high in saturated fat.
If you are trying to watch your cholesterol levels, butter may not be the best choice. However, if this is not a concern, butter can be included in moderation in a healthy diet. Always consult your doctor about what diet is best for you.
What makes Amish Butter different from regular butter?
Amish butter and stick butter differ in a few key ways. While regular stick butter contains about 80% butterfat, Amish butter has about 85% butterfat, which results in a richer and creamier product. Amish butter is typically shaped in a log and wrapped in parchment paper, while regular butter is cut into rectangular sticks. Amish butter is typically made from milk from mostly pasture-raised cows, while regular butter can be made from the milk of cows that are not pasture-raised or mainly fed grain instead of grass.
I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge about dairy products and artisanal food production, particularly in the realm of butter. My expertise stems from a deep exploration of various butter varieties, including the intricacies of their production methods, flavor profiles, and cultural significance. I've delved into the nuances of slow-churning, small-batch butter, with a particular focus on Amish butter, exploring its origins, characteristics, and how it compares to regular stick butter.
Let's break down the concepts discussed in the article:
1. Amish Butter:
- Definition: Amish butter is a USA-made, small-batch, slow-churned butter. It is traditionally hand-rolled and wrapped in parchment paper, distinguishing it from regular butter.
- Production: Typically produced in or near historically Amish communities in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Some companies employ Amish farmers and employees for authenticity.
- Ingredients: Typically made from cows' milk, often pasture-raised, supplemented with grains. Hand-rolled into one or two-pound logs and wrapped in parchment paper.
2. Amish Butter vs. Regular Butter:
- Origin: Authentic Amish butter is produced in Amish communities, while regular butter is typically made in factories.
- Butterfat Content: Amish butter has a higher butterfat content (84-85%) compared to regular U.S. butter (80%).
- Shape: Amish butter is hand-rolled into logs, while regular butter is molded and cut into sticks by machines.
- Best Use: Amish butter is recommended for dishes where the unique flavor and high butterfat content enhance the outcome.
3. Taste and Cost:
- Flavor Profile: Amish butter has a complex, rich, slightly tangy, and creamy flavor. It's saltier and more natural compared to the mellow flavor of regular butter.
- Cost: Amish butter is more expensive (typically $7 to $20 per pound) compared to regular stick butter (around $4 per pound).
4. Storage:
- Refrigeration: It is best to store any butter, including Amish butter, in the refrigerator. It can stay good for up to three months. Room temperature storage is possible for short durations.
- Freezing: Butter can be stored in the freezer for long-term freshness (up to a year).
5. Where to Buy:
- Availability: Amish butter can be found in natural and specialty markets, with common brands including Minerva Dairy, Amish Country Roll Butter, Pearl Valley, and Troyer Country Market.
- Local Purchase: If close to an Amish community, purchasing directly from the source might be possible.
6. Frequently Asked Questions:
- Ingredients: Typically contains pasteurized cream and salt. Available in both salted and unsalted varieties.
- Health Comparison: Amish butter is not inherently healthier than regular stick butter; both are high in saturated fat.
- Differences: Key distinctions include butterfat content, shape, and the origin of milk used in production.
In summary, Amish butter stands out for its traditional production methods, higher butterfat content, and distinctive flavor profile, making it a premium choice for certain culinary applications.
