Although salted butter is a rather costly commodity nowadays, the wholesome fat can really make or break just about any good meal. From cooking up an elaborate meal and frying up some eggs to glorious buttery baked goods (or even just a simple sandwich!), butter is undoubtedly the MVP in the kitchen.
We took to the Food24 Taste Test kitchen to sample seven different samples of regular store-bought butter, comparing taste, texture, appearance and cost to determine which brand is the best for your buck.
Each sample was spread on cubes of plain white bread for consistency. While the differences were very subtle, the results still proved that not all butter is created equal – especially with individual preferences coming into play.
See below for the results:
Woolworths Salted Butter: 4/5
Coming in top place was the salted butter from Woolworths. “I loved the balance of creaminess, saltiness and overall flavour of this one,” commented one taster.
On the down side, a few samplers noted that the texture was a little off: “Really enjoyed the flavour of this one. Nicely salted, but looks a bit grainy.”
Overall, this is a fitting option for when you like your butter to pack a salted punch, leaving moreish creamy notes on the palate.
Cost: R84.99 for 500g
Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter: 3.5/5
Coming in at a close second is Kerrygold’s Pure Irish Salted Butter. One taster noted that the sample was “melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness; luxuriously smooth with great flavour”.
This is definitely a pricier option, making it perfect for when you want to spoil yourself or perhaps splash out on a butter board.
Cost: R159.99 for 500g
Clover Mooi River Salted Butter: 3/5
“A good, average butter. Nice and creamy” is what most tasters had to say about Clover’s salted butter. The sample was subtler on the salted front, making it an excellent option for those who aren’t watching their budget and prefer butter that isn’t too salty.
Cost: R99.99 for 500g
Lurpak Salted Butter: 3/5
This was by far the most divisive sample. Some raved about its flavour, saying things like “Nice. Good sample” and “I liked the level of saltiness”, whereas others noted the taste of the sample reminded them more of margarine than butter. If you’re in agreement with the first camp, it might be time to spoil yourself with this creamy and seriously smooth butter.
Cost: R83.99 for 250g
Pick n Pay Salted Butter: 3/5
Tasters noted that this sample was “average but nice” and a little bland, lacking the saltiness you’d typically expect from salted butter.
Cost: R69.99 for 500g
Oakland Salted Butter: 3/5
This sample was noticeably the lightest sample of them all, appearing almost white in colour, and it was by far the least salty too. Although the sample was beautifully creamy and smooth, which tasters scored favourably, they also noted that it had a somewhat artificial taste: “Tastes like a fridge but is deliciously creamy.” Its colouring and subtle flavour make it a great option for those who bake or make buttercream often.
Cost: R93.00 for 500g
Spar Salted Butter: 2/5
The overall consensus was that this sample was a bit bland, lacking the necessary salty flavour even though it was the darkest yellow in appearance. It also lacked that luxurious creamy feel. “Bland,” one taster noted. “It lacks salt and tastes a little like margarine too.”
The most budget-friendly of the samples, this is good for times when you’re in a pinch and looking for butter with a very mild salted flavour.
Cost: R59.99 for 500g
The rules of Food24 Taste Tests:
– All tasters tasted and scored all samples. Each individual taster’s preference impacts the score they give.
– The samples were tested without packaging and were not easily identifiable.
– The samples were not labelled and were tasted in random order.
– This article is not sponsored in any way, and Food24 was not paid to come to any particular result.
Our taste tests are always unbiased and intended for your entertainment. You may, however, have come to this article through various paid-for advertising.
Header photo by Sorin Gheorghit, sourced on Unsplash.