Not all ghee is created equally. While organic ghee is generally a good thing, the source and preparation techniques of ghee make a difference. Ghruta is a premium type of cultured ghee that is prepared according to Ayurvedic traditions. Let’s take a closer look at why cultured ghee is superior.
Cultured Ghee Production Process
The traditional preparation of cultured ghee begins with raw cow milk that is heated under a low flame to remove impurities. Next, the purified milk is put into earthen pots where it ferments into curd. (Ayurveda teaches that fermented foods generally boost agni as they have a bit of the sour taste which is best for building digestive fire long-term). Then, the curds are churned to make buttermilk and the cultured butter is separated out from the buttermilk.
Once the cultured butter is separated out, it is then simmered until the milk solids sink to the bottom of the pot. Then, one strains out the milk solids and what is left is pure ghee or Ghruta.
Benefits of Cultured Ghee
As you can see, making cultured ghee is a time-intensive, thoughtful process. This more careful process comes with benefits: cultured ghee has a unique lipid profile; it is more easily digested than most conventional ghee and is therefore less likely to cause a host of issues, such as inflammation, immunological reactions, and buildup of ama (metabolic wastes).
It’s important to note that in Ayurveda, cultured ghee is traditionally made from cows that have the A2 protein and a hump on their back, like Gir or Desi cows. These cows should also be free-range, grass-fed, treated as sacred, and milked of their own free will. This ensures the highest quality energetic implications for the milk and ghee.
Another benefit of cultured ghee is that it has a longer shelf-life than conventional ghee. According to Ayurveda, cultured ghee has an indefinite shelf life. Furthermore, some say that its medicinal and health benefits actually increase over time.
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In general, ghee has many benefits. However, given the advantages of cultured ghee over conventional ghee, there are good reasons to choose cultured ghee if one has the option. PIOR Living makes cultured ghee according to Ayurvedic traditions. Their small batch, hand-crafted Ghruta comes from free-range, forest dwelling Indian Gir cows.
