Heritage Bilona ghee
Bilona ghee has very deep roots in ancient Indian practice.The term ‘Bilona’ refers to the traditional hand-churn method used to produce this ghee. This old process involves curdling milk, churning curds to extract butter, and then heating the butter to obtain ghee. This method is believed to retain the maximum nutritional value and give it a taste that distinguishes it from other types of ghee.
Production process
Bilona’s meticulous ghee-making process begins with high-quality milk, preferably from indigenous cows like Gir or Sahiwal, known for their nutrient-rich A2 milk. Here are the step-by-step details of the traditional Bilona method:
Milk Wash – Fresh cow’s milk is boiled and then cooled to a certain temperature before culture is added to curdle. This step is important because it lays the foundation for the taste and nutritional profile of ghee.
Turn the Curd – The curd is kneaded with a wooden spoon (Bilona) slowly and rhythmically. This process separates the butter (makhan) from the buttermilk. Traditional hand processing methods are labor intensive and time consuming, but ensure that the butter retains its natural properties.
Butter Clarification – The extracted butter is then heated over a small fire until all the water evaporates, and the milk solids settle at the bottom. The golden liquid ghee is then carefully strained and stored. This slow cooking process enhances the ghee’s flavor and aromatic properties.
health benefits of Bilona ghee
Bilona ghee is often praised for its many health benefits. It contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, important for various body functions and has a high concentration of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that supports gut health and reduces inflammation. Well, the clarification process removes lactose and casein, making it suitable for people who are sensitive to milk. Ayurveda also considers ghee beneficial for digestion and absorption of nutrients and the presence of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in Bilona ghee alone has antioxidant properties that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Why Bilona Ghee is considered the best
Several factors contribute to Bilona ghee’s reputation as the best:
Milk quality: The use of milk from genuine cows, known for its superior quality, plays an important role. These cows produce a2 milk, which is richer in nutrients compared to the a1 milk commonly found in other dairy products.
Traditional production methods: Cara Bilona is a labor of love. The traditional churning process and the slow cooking method preserve the nutrients and enhance the flavor, giving Bilona ghee unique characteristics.
Reasons why ghee is so amazing for you!
Purity and authenticity: Bilona ghee is made without additives or preservatives, ensuring that you get 100 percent pure ghee. This purity is often compromised in mass-produced ghee.
Aromatic and flavor profile: The traditional way of making Bilona ghee gives it a distinctive nutty aroma and rich taste, which is difficult to replicate with modern methods.
Health benefits: As mentioned earlier, the many health benefits associated with Bilona ghee make it a preferred choice for health conscious people.
The high cost of Bilona ghee
The price of Bilona ghee is higher than regular ghee, and several factors contribute to this. For starters, the traditional way of making Bilona ghee is very labor intensive. From hand-churn curd to slow-cooking butter, each step requires time and effort, which adds to the cost. Second, using milk from genuine cows like Gir or Sahiwal is more expensive. These cows are less productive in terms of milk production compared to hybrids, making milk and, therefore, ghee more expensive. The whole process of making Bilona ghee takes time. Unlike commercial ghee production, which uses machinery to speed up the process, traditional methods cannot be rushed if quality is to be maintained.
For those who don’t know, the Bilona method produces less ghee than the modern method. For example, to make 1 liter of Bilona ghee, one may need up to 25-30 liters of milk, while commercial methods require less milk for the same amount of ghee. Bilona ghee is therefore often produced in small batches by artisans who uphold traditional methods. This artisanal approach is more expensive than mass production.
As more people became aware of the health benefits and superior quality of Bilona ghee, demand increased. Higher demand, coupled with limited supply due to intensive production processes, has driven up prices. Some of the other reasons for this high cost are environmentally friendly and high-quality packaging and the costs associated with distributing specialized products.
Consumer perception and market trends
The growing trend in organic and natural foods has increased the popularity of Bilona ghee. Health-conscious consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that offer superior purity, health benefits, and taste. In markets like the United States and Europe, where Indian cuisine and Ayurveda are gaining popularity, Bilona ghee is increasingly seen as a superfood. This understanding is further enhanced by the endorsement of nutritionists and health experts who vouch for these benefits.
Challenges in the Bilona ghee market
Despite its popularity, the market for Bilona ghee faces several challenges:
Authenticity issues: With the increase in demand, there is also an increase in adulterated products claiming to be bilona ghee. Ensuring authenticity is a significant challenge for consumers.
High cost: High prices can be a barrier for many potential buyers, limiting accessibility.
Education and awareness: Many consumers still do not know the difference between bilona ghee and regular ghee. Educating the market about the benefits is essential to growth.
Supply chain issues: Ensuring the supply of high-quality milk from genuine cows is a logistical challenge.
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Vision of the future
The future of Bilona ghee looks promising, with awareness and appreciation for traditional and organic products. As consumers become more health conscious, the demand for genuine and quality ghee will increase. To maintain this growth, producers must focus on maintaining authenticity, develop educational efforts about the benefits of Bilona ghee, and find ways to make the production process more efficient without compromising quality.
Bilona ghee is the best because of its traditional production methods, superior quality ingredients, and many health benefits. While the high price is a reflection of the labor-intensive process and the premium quality of the ingredients used, it remains a worthwhile investment for those seeking the best in taste and nutrition. As the market for natural and traditional products continues to grow, Bilona ghee is well positioned to become more popular worldwide.