Vedic ghee vs other types of ghee

by Deep Shah

Based on the preparation method and type of milk including cows, buffalos, and goats, the ghee obtained differs in quality and properties. Vedic ghee refers to the ghee with all the properties described in the Vedas, and Ayurvedic Shastras. It is known for its curative properties and a multitude of benefits to the human body. According to Ayurveda, all the steps required in making ghee should be authentic and natural. Many villages in India continue to use the traditional method of making ghee known as the Bilona or Valona process.

What is the bilona process?

The bilona process is the traditional method of procuring ghee from milk, specified in the Vedas. Vedic ghee is prepared using this process. The process essentially includes the following steps:

  • The milk is first heated.

  • It is then fermented into yogurt.

  • Next, the yogurt is hand-churned vehemently in wooden pots to transform it into butter.

  • Butter is separated from the buttermilk.

  • Butter is then heated until the milk solids get separted from the golden liquid which is pure Vedic ghee.

Difference between Vedic ghee and Regular ghee

Treatment and Diet of cows

Vedic ghee is made only from the milk of A2 or purebred cows. These cows are grass-fed, well-treated, and not abused for dairy. Ayurveda always recommends taking actions that are necessary and sustainable for the future. Therefore, It is essential that the milk procured from the cows should be first given to the calves. The rest of the milk is then used to prepare pure desi ghee.

Using earthenware

The traditional way of making Vedic ghee is to use earthen pots and churners. The milk is heated in these pots to make the yogurt, and the butter, too, is then procured using wooden hand-churners. They ensure the purity of the butter, and no chemicals are used in the process.

Alternative ghee types don’t have a specific process or equipment. Their ghee could be made from butter or the cream of milk. Moreover, varieties of ghee like Vanaspati are hydrogenated and use machinery that not only makes it cheap but unhealthy.

Quality of milk

Vedic ghee can only be obtained from the milk of grass-fed A2 cows (Indian cow breeds). It doesn’t require any chemicals or injections to improve the quantity or effectiveness of the A2 milk. Moreover, the milk is boiled until its thickness goes beyond the standard of regular cream.

The distinguishing quality of Vedic ghee is its strict adherence to grass feeding the cows. With other types of ghee, cows have a different diet, and two or more types of milk can be mixed to procure ghee.

Ethical use

To make Vedic ghee, one has to respect the principles of the Vedas. Cows cannot be used as machines. No excess milk, no forced pregnancies, and no use hormones to increase milk yield. Moreover, cows cannot be enforced into small spaces. They need to graze freely while respecting their freedom and that of their calves.

With the sheer size of the dairy industry, some kinds of ghee are made through unethical means. This could be by diluting the product or ill-treating cattle.

Unique Properties of Vedic ghee

  • Vedic ghee contains a spectrum of short (SCFA), medium (MCFA), and long-chain (LCFA) fatty acids that are both saturated and unsaturated. These kill harmful microorganisms and keep unwanted bacteria and viruses at bay.

  • Butyric acid present in ghee protects the integrity of the intestinal wall and hence, aids digestion.

  • Our bodies don’t naturally synthesize Omega 3, 6, and 9, but pure A2 ghee has an abundance of these fatty acids. They help boost mental health, fight ailments by strengthening the immune system, and improve physical resistance.

  • A nutritional powerhouse, Vedic ghee, is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as minerals essential for our body. Moreover, ghee also helps in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins minerals from other foods.

  • It is very beneficial for pregnant women as a source of nourishment and energy. Similarly, a spoonful of ghee can do wonders for new-born babies and young children.

  • Vedic ghee is one of the highest natural sources of CLA - conjugated linoleic acid. CLA performs a host of functions in our body. For example, it boosts the immune system, keeps the cholesterol levels in check, and is also anti-carcinogenic.

  • It provides our body with a source of good fats that can reduce the bad cholesterol in our body, lubricate our joints, and even help in weight loss.

To sum it up, Vedic ghee is the ghee produced with A2 milk obtained from grass-fed cows, using the traditional bilona process. This ghee is superior in its health benefits as well as quality. In a fast-paced lifestyle, where everything is readymade, consuming something natural and pure will surely benefit your body.

Want to buy the best Vedic Ghee online?

At Amrutam, we make Vedic ghee using the exact process mentioned in the scriptures. Our A2 cow ghee is ethically made, without using chemicals or adulterants and keeping the well-being of the cows at all times. By keeping a part of our heritage alive through ghee, we hope to make our customer’s diets more robust. Visit our shop and experience the rewards of Vedic ghee.