Butter is a natural dairy product made from cream which is in turn made from cows. Butter can be salted or unsalted. Although the salted kind has better keeping qualities, too much salt in the diet can lead to heart problems. Because it is made from milk, butter contains calcium and B group vitamins. It contains both saturated and unsaturated fats together with cholesterol which plays a part in heart disease. Butter is best stored in cool conditions, preferably refrigerated.
It can be used for spreading, in cooking, e.g. for light sautéing or flavoured and softened with herbs and other ingredients. When used in cooking e.g. cake or biscuit making it usually produces a richer taste than margarine.
