Hard butter straight from the fridge is a known problem. Although it tastes best at that time, spreading it on bread ends in frustration and often damage to the slice of bread. However, there are some proven methods that will allow you to enjoy perfectly soft butter without having to give up on keeping it cold.

Benefits of consuming butter

Butter is a dairy product made from cream separated from cow’s milk. It consists mainly of milk fat, protein and water. As an animal product butter is a valuable source of many nutrients including:

  • fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K),
  • fatty acidssuch as butyric acid, which supports gut health and has anti-inflammatory effects.

Butter also provides substances such as:

  • calcium,
  • phosphorus,
  • phospholipids, including lecithin, which supports the structure and function of cell membranes.

When consumed in moderation, butter can be a healthy part of the diet thanks to its numerous health benefits. However, due to the high content of saturated fat, it is best to consume it within the recommended daily limit. Excess saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Their recommended daily intake is approximately 10% of daily caloric needs.

  • This means that for a healthy adult with an average caloric intake of approximately 2,000 kcal the maximum amount of saturated fat is approximately 20 grams per day, which is equivalent to three tablespoons of butter.

Tricks to soften butter

Depending on your needs, available time and tools, you can use several proven and simple methods to soften butter:

  • Leave it on the desktop (easiest method)

Remove the butter from the refrigerator and place it on the counter at room temperature. After approximately 30 to 60 minutes, it will soften enough to be ready for use. If you want to speed up the process, you can cut the butter into smaller pieces or thin slices – smaller pieces will soften faster.

  • Cover with a warm bowl or glass

Fill the bowl with hot water and wait a while for it to heat up. Then pour out the water and dry the bowl thoroughly. Put the butter on the kitchen counter and cover it with a warm bowl – the heat will speed up the softening.

  • Use a microwave oven

You can quickly soften butter in the microwave. Place it on a plate and set the appliance to the lowest power setting. Heat the butter in short intervals of 5-10 seconds, checking the consistency after each cycle to make sure it doesn’t melt completely.

  • Use a water bath

Place the butter in a glass bowl. Then place it over a pot of hot, but not boiling, water. Stir the butter gently so that it softens evenly without the risk of melting.

  • Grate

You can grate hard butter on a coarse grater. The resulting thin pieces soften faster and are more pliable, so the butter is ideal for spreading.

When should potatoes be salted? Many people still make this mistake