Clarified butter, the melted and purified butter, is commonly used in cooking and baking. The spelling of "clarified butter" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈklærəfaɪd ˈbʌtər/. The first syllable "clar" is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by an "r" sound. The second syllable "i" is pronounced as "uh", followed by the "f" sound in "faɪd". Lastly, the word ends with the short "u" sound in "bʌtər". Clarified butter is a crucial component in many recipes, from Indian cuisine to French pastries.
Clarified butter is a type of butter that has been processed to remove impurities such as water, milk solids, and other impurities, resulting in a pure and clear form of fat. It is also known as drawn butter or ghee, and is commonly used in cooking, particularly in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and French cuisines.
To make clarified butter, regular butter is melted slowly over low heat until it separates into three layers: foam on top, clear liquid in the middle, and milk solids at the bottom. The foam is skimmed off, and the clear liquid is carefully poured or strained, leaving behind the milk solids. This process helps to eliminate any water content and impurities, resulting in a higher smoke point compared to regular butter. The milk solids that have settled at the bottom can be discarded or used for other purposes.
Clarified butter has a rich and nutty flavor, similar to regular butter but with a more intense aroma. Due to its high smoke point, it is resistant to burning, making it ideal for cooking methods such as sautéing, frying, and grilling. It is also used as a dip for seafood, a drizzle for vegetables, and as a base for sauces and dressings. Furthermore, clarified butter has a longer shelf life than regular butter because the removal of water and milk solids inhibits the growth of bacteria and spoilage.
The word clarified derives from the Latin word clarificare, which means to make clear. It is a combination of the Latin words clarus, meaning clear or bright, and facere, meaning to make or do. The word butter comes from the Old English word butere or buttor, which is believed to have originated from the Latin word butyrum.