Ghee
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that has been a staple in Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic traditions for centuries. It's made by simmering butter to remove milk solids and water, resulting in a rich, nutty-flavored golden fat. It's widely used for cooking, frying, and as a finishing touch on dishes.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Ghee is almost pure fat, providing a dense source of energy with zero carbohydrates or protein. It's rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, and contains a notable amount of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid. A single tablespoon contains roughly 120-130 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 110 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 0.4 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1.0 mcg |
| Butyrate | Present (short-chain fatty acid) |
| Cholesterol | 33 mg |
Per 1 tablespoon (14 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, ghee holds a sacred status in Hinduism, used in religious rituals and lamp offerings. Nutritionally, its high smoke point makes it exceptionally stable for high-heat cooking, and it's often well-tolerated by those with lactose or casein sensitivities due to the removal of milk solids.
