Ever wondered why your grannie had a rock-strong immunity and that she could swiftly perform all her chores and household duties even in her late 70s? Well, the secret is her superfood- Ghee that she consumed all through her life. 

Known as a traditional bliss, ghee has been used not just in cooking but in religious duties and offerings as well! Unlike refined oils, it is churned from the milk of cow or buffalo and is loaded with exceptional nutrients and health benefits. 

In ancient India, ghee has been a go-to ingredient for cooking food. Ideally, it has been churned using the classic, time-bound bilona method. Unlike now, with the passage of time and technical advancements, churning of ghee has gotten easier and simpler using mechanical methods.

Through this piece of writing let’s understand which method is best for extracting ghee, the benefits of consuming ghee, and why to choose ghee over refined cooking oils? 

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter that is prepared by separating the milk solids and the butterfat while cooking out the water of cow or buffalo milk. 

Enriched with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K,  and many other important nutrients, ghee is considered one of the most nutrient-dense food. 

Unlike most refined oils, ghee has a high smoking point which prevents it from producing free radicals that can damage the body. 

Traditionally, cow ghee has been used not just to prepare a variety of dishes but also as an important body massaging ingredient that relieves pain and muscular stiffness.

What is the Bilona Method? 

Bilona Method is one of the most traditional Vedic methods of making pure, healthy ghee. In this process, the first step is to boil the raw milk to ensure that the milk is free from bacteria. This milk is then used to make curd through overnight curdling. Once the curd is set, it is kept in a cool place, preferably in an earthen pot. Further, this curd is churned using a traditional wood churner (bilona). After hours of churning, curd separates into buttermilk and butter. 

woman in traditional attire churning ghee with time-tested bilona method

The butter or Makhan is gently separated from the buttermilk and is heated on a medium-high flame to obtain high-quality ghee. 

Bilona method is a time taking and tiresome process of obtaining ghee but this is definitely the best and most authentic way of extracting nutrient-dense ghee. 

Is Cow Ghee Better Than Buffalo Ghee?

Ghee is an ultimate elixir that delivers a range of health benefits irrespective of its source- cow/buffalo. However, there are some differences in both varieties of ghee. Let’s understand each of these in detail-

  • The fat content of buffalo ghee is 7-8.5% while that of cow ghee is 3-4.5%
  • Cow ghee is yellow in color, lighter in texture, tastes delicious, and is divinely aromatic while buffalo milk is white in color, heavier in texture and is less aromatic as compared to cow ghee. 
  • Buffalo ghee is rich in fat and can be stored for a longer period of time, whereas cow ghee can not be stored for a longer span of time. 
  • Ghee from cows primarily contains vitamins, protein, calcium, and minerals while buffalo ghee is rich in magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. 
  • Being antifungal and antibacterial in nature, cow ghee can be applied to open wounds. On the contrary, buffalo ghee is deprived of antifungal and antibacterial properties.  
  • Those who are lean and wish to gain weight or build muscle mass should rely more on buffalo ghee while those who aim to get lean or reduce weight should rely more on cow ghee. 

Buffalo ghee or cow ghee, both are great. Choosing one over another should be based entirely on one’s health and fitness goals. 

Why Choose Ghee For Everyday Cooking?

Being one of the most satvik foods of Ayurveda, ghee has been considered an age-old remedy for all sorts of health ailments. Some of the key health benefits of ghee include-

benefits of ghee such as ghee for healthy skin, heart, gut, immunity displayed in different frames

  • Strengthen Bones

Ghee contains fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K that help to keep the bones and muscles strong. Experts recommend that consuming ghee in moderation helps to prevent bone degeneration and inflammation. This keeps the bones and joints strong, nourished, and healthy.

  • Builds Immunity

A healthy gut is the root of strong immunity. Ghee promotes a healthy gut which ultimately helps to build and boost immunity. Pure ghee contains powerful antioxidants that help to boost the immune system by eliminating free radicals and their harmful effects on the body. 

  • Safeguards Heart Health

Ghee contains omega -3 fatty acids (HDL) that helps to lower cholesterol and bad fat (LDL) from the blood. This helps to keep the arteries unclogged and fat-free. Consuming cow ghee in moderation assures that the fat and cholesterol in the body are maintained. 

  • Relieves Constipation

Ghee is one of the best sources of butyric acid (fatty acid) that is naturally great for supporting the health of the intestinal wall. Pure ghee works as a mild lubricant that eases the intestinal tract, smoothening the fecal passage. This helps to relieve constipation or irregular bowel movement. 

  • Heals and Hydrates Skin

Ghee contains minerals that help to replenish and heal skin inside out. A2 Gir Cow ghee helps to maintain moisture and the natural pH of the skin by balancing the essential oils present in the skin. Cow ghee can also be applied directly to the skin for healing and soothing dehydrated, irritated skin. 

Why Choose Bilona Ghee Over Refined Oils?

Bilona Ghee

REFINED COOKING OIL

Pure bilona ghee is heavenly aromatic and does not contain preservatives or chemicals

Vegetable oil has little to no aroma. Plus, it contains preservatives, mixed with palm oil, chemical filled flavour compounds and often artificial colour

Bilona is a traditional and natural method of making ghee with minimal processing

They undergo extreme processing

No harmful chemicals are used in the process of making bilona ghee

A chemical known as ‘nickel’ is mostly used in the refining process of cooking oils

One tablespoon of pure ghee can supply about 15% of daily requirements of Vitamin A

Cooking oils are fortified with Vitamin A in negligible amounts

Ghee is naturally nutrient dense and is best for health conscious

Refined vegetable oils contain nutrients in a concise amount

Take Away

Ghee is one of the most treasured foods of Indian cuisine. Ever since ancient times, ghee has been used in every Indian household kitchen to cook or decorate food. 

However, with the passage of time, the traditional craze of ghee has lost its shine. A lot of misconceptions and wrong information regarding the negative health effects associated with the intake of ghee have sprung up. This is one of the key reasons why people have shifted towards refined cooking oil. 

Bilona ghee was, is, and will always be the best thing to invest in your health. Loaded with good fat that helps to lower cholesterol and keeps the heart healthy, pure bilona ghee is best for people of all age groups. 

In order to be able to stay healthy and fit, It’s required to get back to the roots, by  switching to nature’s boon – bilona ghee!

Happy Indian family showing thumbs up and promoting Bilona Ghee