If you've ever shopped for ghee, you've probably noticed that the cost of ghee can be pricey and can vary in cost quite a bit. There are a few reasons for this, but in short, it’s mainly due to the specialized process required to make it and for some premium ghee, the treatment of the cows is also a factor.

In this article, we will go into more detail about why ghee is so expensive and why it varies in price, and offer tips on how to shop for the best ghee.

Why Ghee Costs More Than Butter

Butter is easy to make. Simply whip milk or cream until it's broken down into solid butter and liquid buttermilk. Once separated, you can rinse off any remaining buttermilk from your butter.

Conventional ghee, on the other hand, requires simmering butter until the milk solids separate from the fat and sink to the bottom where they begin to caramelize. Then the ghee is separated and strained from the milk solids. What's left is pure saturated fat, free from lactose, whey, and beta casein proteins. As a bonus, ghee will also have a much high smoke point than butter and a longer shelf life.

Due to these extra production steps, ghee is more expensive than butter.

Factors Affecting Ghee Price

Not all ghee is the same. There are several factors that affect the price:

1. Handmade vs. Industrial-made - Artisan ghee is more expensive than ghee produced by industrial methods or as part of a large-scale operation because it is more labor-intensive and requires more time to complete.
2. Ethical treatment of cows - In addition, ghee that uses milk from free-range, grass-fed cows will be more expensive because these types of cows are more valuable and require more cost to maintain. Some ghee is also made from ethical, non-ahimsa (nonviolent) farms, meaning the milk is only drawn after the calves are fed (and never by force), and the cows are never sacrificed or consumed.
3. Fermentation - Some ghees (like Ayurvedic Ghruta ghee) use a fermentation process at the beginning of production to culture the raw milk. This step enhances the ghee with more medicinal benefits.
4. Type of cow - Lastly, some ghees are only made from specific Indian cow breeds like Gir Cows or Desi cows. These cows produce A2 milk instead of A1 milk. A2 milk lacks certain beta casein proteins that are difficult to digest making this type of milk more gut friendly. In addition, these cows are believed to be holy and offer spiritual benefits. 

How to Shop for Ghee

While it's possible to find ghee at a lower price, you'll most likely be sacrificing nutrition and taste. Inexpensive ghee can also be altered with synthetic flavors, additives, and other unsavory ingredients.

Buying the right ghee can be an investment, but most people find it worth it for the health benefits and ethical superiority. 

If you’re looking for the highest quality ghee that's handmade and uses cultured A2 milk from free-range, grass-fed Indian Gir cows of non-ahimsa farms, check out PIOR Living’s online shop. There, you’ll find premium handcrafted Ghruta ghee, which is made in accordance with ancient Ayurvedic traditions.