Regular use of ghee is among the best rejuvenating and longevity promoting foods.
~ Charaka Samhita

10 Golden Rules of Ghee

1. Sterilize all utensils, pot and storage container in a pot of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Make sure your container is dry
2. Start slowly and try not to boil
3. Resist the temptation to stir
4. Do not cover the pot
5. Do not abandon the cooking ghee
6. Do not under cook (or ghee will mold) and do not overcook (or ghee will burn)
7. Save the top, discard the bottom
8. Keep ghee away from sunlight
9. Refrain from ‘double dipping’ into the ghee or it can go rancid
10. Consume only what you can digest

Ghee Recipe

1 pound (approx 450 grams) unsalted organic butter

Allow butter to come to room temperature. Without touching the butter with your hands, place it in a heavy-bottomed, medium sized sauce pan. Turn the heat on to the lowest possible until the butter melts.

Adjust the heat if necessary until butter just begins to simmer, then continue to cook at this low heat. Do not cover the pot. The butter will foam and splutter while it cooks. White-ish curds will begin to form on the bottom of the pot. the butter will begin to smell like popcorn after a while and turn a lovely golden colour. Keep a close watch on the ghee, as it can easily burn. Make sure not to stir the liquid.

After a while it will become a clear, golden colour. You may have to use a clean, dry spoon to move away some of the foam on top in order to see if the ghee is clear all the way through to the bottom. When it is clear and has stopped spluttering and making noise, remove from heat and allow to cool until just warm.

Pour through a fine sieve or layers of cheesecloth into a clean, dry glass container with a tight lid. Discard the curds at the bottom of the sauce pan.

If the ghee is burned, it will have a nutty smell and be slightly brown.

1 pound of butter should take about 15 minutes of cooking time. The more butter you are using, the longer it will take.

* Ghee can be kept on the kitchen shelf, covered. It does not need refrigeration
* The medicinal properties are said to improve with age
* Make sure not to ladle out the ghee with a wet spoon or allow any water to get into the container, as this will create conditions for bacteria to grow and spoil the ghee
* Never put ghee in a microwave
* Adding 1 teaspoon or more of ghee to warm milk can help with constipation
* For help with dry eyes, put ghee on lower eye lids at night with your pinky finger and leave on over night
* Enjoy on toast or porridge in the mornings, and on vegetables at night

Ghee has an intelligence-promoting principle that fosters the body’s confidence and vitality when used internally.

~ Sushruta Samhita

Compiled by Melissa Spamer – Ayurvedic Consultant