What is Butter?
Butter is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of churned cream. It is a semi-solid emulsion at room temperature, consisting of approximately 80% butterfat.
Best Butter For Baking In South Africa
Woolworths Salted Butter: 4/5
Coming in top place was the salted butter from Woolworths. “I loved the balance of creaminess, saltiness, and overall flavor of this one,” commented one taster.
On the downside, a few samplers noted that the texture was a little off: “Really enjoyed the flavor of this one. Nicely salted, but looks a bit grainy.”
Overall, this is a fitting option for when you like your butter to pack a salted punch, leaving moreish creamy notes on the palate.
Cost: R84.99 for 500g
Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter: 3.5/5
Coming in at a close second is Kerrygold’s Pure Irish Salted Butter. One taster noted that the sample was “melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness; luxuriously smooth with great flavor”.
This is definitely a pricier option, making it perfect for when you want to spoil yourself or perhaps splash out on a butter board.
Cost: R159.99 for 500g
Clover Mooi River Salted Butter: 3/5
“A good, average butter. Nice and creamy” is what most tasters had to say about Clover’s salted butter. The sample was subtler on the salted front, making it an excellent option for those who aren’t watching their budget and prefer butter that isn’t too salty.
Cost: R99.99 for 500g
Lurpak Salted Butter: 3/5
This was by far the most divisive sample. Some raved about its flavor, saying things like “Nice. Good sample” and “I liked the level of saltiness”, whereas others noted the taste of the sample reminded them more of margarine than butter.
If you’re in agreement with the first camp, it might be time to spoil yourself with this creamy and seriously smooth butter.
Cost: R83.99 for 250g
Pick n Pay Salted Butter: 3/5
Tasters noted that this sample was “average but nice” and a little bland, lacking the saltiness you’d typically expect from salted butter.
Cost: R69.99 for 500g
Oakland Salted Butter: 3/5
This sample was noticeably the lightest sample of them all, appearing almost white in color, and it was by far the least salty too.
Although the sample was beautifully creamy and smooth, which tasters scored favorably, they also noted that it had a somewhat artificial taste: “Tastes like a fridge but is deliciously creamy.” Its coloring and subtle flavor make it a great option for those who bake or make buttercream often.
Cost: R93.00 for 500g
Spar Salted Butter: 2/5
The overall consensus was that this sample was a bit bland, lacking the necessary salty flavor even though it was the darkest yellow in appearance. It also lacked that luxurious creamy feel. “Bland,” one taster noted. “It lacks salt and tastes a little like margarine too.”
The most budget-friendly of the samples, this is good for times when you’re in a pinch and looking for butter with a very mild salted flavor.
Cost: R59.99 for 500g
Does the brand of butter matter in baking?
Butter is the backbone of so many baking recipes, so using the most delicious brand is crucial for successful bakes.