Cream Ghee vs Bilona Ghee: What’s the Full Difference?

Cream Ghee vs Bilona Ghee

Ghee is a significant part of Indian cooking and has been used for several generations. Not only is it a flavorful meal, but it is also a nutritious meal. Now, you get a variety of ghee in the market, which includes cream ghee and bilona ghee (also referred to as traditional churned ghee), which are the two most common types of ghee.

Let’s explore all the differences between them.

1. How Each Ghee is Made:

Cream Ghee: This ghee comprises the cream (or malai) that can form on the top of boiled milk. That cream can be collected from the boiled milk, and then it can be churned into the machines to extract the butter from the cream. Then, butter is heated until the water evaporates from the butter, and ghee is left behind. This process is mostly done in the factories in a short time and in large amounts. It is made quickly and easily using machines.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is made through a much older traditional process that takes more time. First, the cow’s milk is boiled and then turned into curd (dahi). Then, the curd by hand or using a wooden churner to separate the butter from it. This butter is slowly cooked over low heat to get ghee from the butter. The process takes more time, and it is usually done in small batches at home or in small dairies.

2. The Difference in Nutritional Value:

Cream Ghee: Although cream ghee contains fats that provide energy and are good for your body in moderation, the quick industrial process might remove some of the nutrients that are naturally found in milk. The vitamins and minerals in cream ghee are lower compared to bilona ghee because of the fast cooking process.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is often considered healthier because of the traditional method used to make it. Since it is churned from curd and not directly from cream, some people believe it contains more nutrients. Bilona ghee contains more vitamins according to the cream ghee such as A, D, E, and K, as well as healthy fatty acids, which may help in better digestion and boost immunity.

Cream Ghee vs Bilona Ghee — Reference image from the: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4061595/table/T1/

3. Taste, Aroma, and Texture:

Cream Ghee: Cream Ghee has a light flavour and mild aroma, according to the Bilona ghee, and it doesn’t have a strong smell; that’s why it is the perfect fit for those people who don’t like strong aromas and don’t want the ghee flavour in their food. The texture of that ghee is also smooth, according to the bilona ghee, but sometimes it feels a bit oily.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is known for its richer, deeper flavor and stronger aroma. It has a nutty, almost caramel-like taste and smells fragrant. The bilona ghee is made by using the traditional method of ghee preparation; that’s why many people say that the taste of bilona ghee is exactly similar to my grandmother’s ghee. The texture is a bit thicker and more grainy, which many find appealing.

4. Health Benefits:

Cream Ghee: Cream ghee is a healthy option and a great source of fats that give you energy. Since it’s lactose-free, it’s safe for those who are lactose intolerant. However, some traditional health experts feel that because it’s made quickly using machines, it may lose some of the important nutrients and benefits that come from milk during the process.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is often considered to have superior health benefits. The slow, natural process of making it allows the ghee to retain more nutrients. It is especially rich in butyric acid, which helps with digestion and reduces inflammation in the body. Bilona ghee is also commonly recommended in Ayurvedic practices as it is believed to balance the body’s systems, improve strength, and boost overall health.

5. Ayurvedic Perspective:

Cream Ghee: Ayurveda does not give so much attention to the cream ghee because it is made by the modern technique, due to which it isn’t as effective compared to the bilona ghee. But it conrtans some health benefits nutrients but it not considers as a much effective for supporting the healthy well bieng for the human body then the bilona ghee.
Bilona Ghee: According to Ayurveda, bilona ghee is considered to be sattvic, which means it promotes peace of mind, clarity, and good health. Ayurvedic doctors often recommend Bilona Ghee to improve digestion, increase energy, and strengthen the immune system. It is also used in Ayurvedic treatments like Panchakarma, a detoxifying therapy.

6. Price Difference:

Cream Ghee: Cream ghee is more affordable and available in large quantities because of the way it’s made. Since the process is faster and done in bulk using machines, the price of cream ghee is lower. It is commonly found in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is more expensive because it takes more time, effort, and milk to make. It takes about 25-30 liters of milk to make just 1 liter of bilona ghee. This is why bilona ghee costs more, but many people believe it’s worth the price because of its taste and health benefits.

7. Availability:

Cream Ghee: Cream ghee is available in most grocery stores and supermarkets, both in cities and small towns. It’s easy to find and buy because it is mass-produced.
Bilona Ghee: Bilona ghee is harder to find in regular stores. It’s usually available in specialty stores, organic markets, or online platforms that sell traditional products. Many small-scale farms and dairies sell bilona ghee directly to customers, either at local markets or through online platforms like FARMER NEAR ME, which helps connect farmers with buyers.

How to Check the Purity of Ghee

Ghee is a type of desi medicine that is also mentioned in our Ayurveda. It is not only used for their multiple health benefits but can also increase the flavour and taste of our meal. In the market, many brands of ghee are not 100% pure, and they also contain some harmful chemicals that are not mentioned on the labels of those brands of ghee. So buy ghee from trusted places and trusted brands. You can also do some tests to check the purity of that ghee.

There are many methods to check the purity of ghee, and we can cover some of the methods in that article.

Method 1- Palm or Hand Test

The palm or hand test allows the user to quickly and simply validate the purity of that ghee. To check the purity of the ghee, simply massage one full spoon of ghee between your palms. If it instantly begins to melt in the palm of your hand, that means it is 100% pure and real ghee.
Method 2- Heating Technique Test

By using this test, you can simply determine whether your ghee contains some vegetable oils or other contaminated oils or not. Simply add one tablespoon ghee and salt in a glass container and start shaking vigorously, then sit still for five minutes. If you don’t see any tiny red dot on the bottom of the container after 5 minutes, your ghee is 100% pure, and if you see a tiny red dot on the bottom of that container, that means your ghee is impure and contaminated.

Method 3- Bottle Test

Method 4- Iodine Test

The Iodine test tells you whether your ghee contains starch and such mashed potatoes or not. Put the one tablespoon of melted ghee in a small container with a few drops of iodine solution. If the solution turns purple, that means the desi ghee is contaminated with the starch; if it does not turn a purple colour, that means it is pure and not contaminated.

Conclusion:

Both cream ghee and bilona ghee have their benefits, and the choice between them depends on your preferences and needs.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option that’s easily available, cream ghee is still a good choice for everyday cooking.
But if you’re looking for ghee with more nutrients, richer flavor, and traditional health benefits, Bilona ghee might be worth the extra cost.

How can I buy pure ghee?

You can buy the Ghee and other organic products simply by visiting the FARMER NEAR ME