Ghee guide · 4 min read
What is bilona ghee?
Bilona ghee is ghee made from curd, not from cream. The curd is churned until butter rises, and that butter is slowly cooked into ghee. It is the way ghee was made in Indian homes for generations, and it is how we make ours.
How bilona ghee is made, step by step
- Fresh milk. Ours comes from our own buffaloes and cows near Hyderabad.
- Boil and set curd. The milk is boiled, cooled and set overnight into curd.
- Churn. The curd is churned with a wooden churner (the bilona) until butter separates from the buttermilk.
- Slow-cook. The butter is heated on a low flame (ours is a wood fire) and stirred until the water leaves and the ghee turns clear and golden.
- Strain and seal. The ghee is strained and filled into glass jars.
Bilona ghee vs regular ghee
Most ghee in shops is made from cream (malai) separated by a machine, often from milk collected from many places. It is quicker and cheaper. Bilona ghee takes the long route through curd and churning, and needs a lot more milk for every jar. That is the main reason it costs more.
| Bilona ghee | Cream ghee | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Curd, churned into butter | Cream separated from milk |
| Time | About 2 days, milk to jar | A few hours |
| Texture | Usually grainy (danedar) | Often smooth |
| Aroma | Strong, slightly tangy | Milder |
Buffalo ghee or cow ghee?
Buffalo ghee is white, rich and grainy, great for everyday cooking. Cow ghee is golden, lighter and more aromatic. Gir cow ghee comes from the Gir breed and is made in very small batches. Many families keep one for daily cooking and one for special dishes.
Why does ghee look different in winter and summer?
Ghee is a fat, so it sets solid and grainy when it is cold and melts when it is warm. A jar that arrives liquid in May and solid in December is completely normal. The taste does not change.
Can you test ghee purity at home?
Home tricks (melting a spoonful, the palm test) can give a hint, but they are not reliable. The honest way is a laboratory test. Our cow and buffalo ghee were tested by an independent lab. You can read the reports here.
How to store bilona ghee
- Keep the jar closed, in a cool and dry place. No fridge needed.
- Always use a dry spoon. Water is what spoils ghee.
- Unopened, it keeps for about 12 months from packing. Once opened, finish within about 6 months.
Try ours
Buffalo, A2 cow and Gir cow bilona ghee from our own farm, in 500 ml and 1 L glass jars.
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