Butter is only salty when it's salted butter because salt is intentionally added during the manufacturing process. Unsalted butter, conversely, should not be salty at all.
Reasons for Adding Salt to Butter
Several reasons contribute to the practice of salting butter:
- Flavor: Salt enhances the taste of butter, making it more palatable for many people.
- Preservation: Salt acts as a preservative, inhibiting microbial growth and extending the shelf life of butter by approximately 3 months. Salt content in salted butter typically ranges from 1.5% to 2%.
Salt Content in Butter
| Butter Type | Typical Salt Content |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 0% |
| Salted Butter | 1.5% - 2% |
The salt content can vary slightly depending on the brand and production methods. Always check the label for specific salt content information.
In summary, butter isn't inherently salty; the salty taste comes from the deliberate addition of salt for flavor enhancement and preservation purposes in salted butter.
