Epic source
Energy
745 kcal · 37% DV target
A rich, semi-solid emulsion of milk fat and water, butter serves as a foundational culinary fat that provides a characteristic creamy mouthfeel and high caloric density to both savory and sweet dishes.
Butter consumption has a relatively small or neutral association with total mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes .13
Replacing butter with unsaturated fats, such as olive oil or vegetable oils, is consistently linked to lower total and LDL cholesterol (the protein-fat particles often called "bad" cholesterol) and a reduced risk of heart disease .348
Major institutional guidance recommends limiting butter because it is a concentrated source of saturated fat, which can increase cardiovascular risk when it replaces healthier fat sources in the diet .3512
While some research suggests dairy fats may have different health effects than fats from meat, the current consensus among nutrition experts is that butter should not be considered a health-promoting food .127
Petal shape shows the nine FoodCompass domains, including nutrient density, processing, satiety, fats, and phytochemicals.
745 kcal · 37% DV target
82.3 g · 105% DV target
47.5 g · 238% DV target
Not a benefit — best kept low
0.05 g · 19% DV target
780 μg · 87% DV target
0.75 μg · 4% DV target
Seasonality has not been estimated for this ingredient yet.
Keep wrapped to prevent absorption of other food odors.
Best frozen in original packaging or foil.
Dairy production involves significant greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from enteric fermentation.
Historically, butter was so highly valued in some cultures that it was used as a form of currency and even buried in peat bogs for years to age and develop a pungent, cheese-like flavor profile.