Butter shortage?

[Vil_Riker]

So for the last 3-4 weeks I weren't able to buy the usual butter I normally get -- imported European versions, preferably from Ireland. Bare shelves, essentially. Even the "European style" butter is gone - it's a poor substitute but still better than organic and non-organic regular butters but people might be desperate.

Luckily last Sunday I came across a store that still had some Kerrygold so bought a couple months worth of supplies.

Is this local to central Illinois or have you noticed this as well lately?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I bought Kerrygold at walmart on Friday.

Everyone stocking up for Christmas cookies?

 

[K-Man]

No problems with supply out my way. If you're a member of a wholesale club such as Costco, check its stock.

Lidl and Aldi have their own versions of Irish butter, by the way. They work as well as Kerrygold. Aldi's comes in a green wrapper.

 

[Kira]

Serious 'jump-in' question:
Am I correct in thinking European butters' premium is due to a lower percentage of water and that the cows often eat outside for richer color?

 

[Wireman1987]

must be your location plentiful here in South Carolina

 

[AdmiralYoda]

Quick question. We go through a stick or two per week in our house but just get local store brand for reason other than price. As an un-informed consumer...what makes Kerrygold better?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Serious 'jump-in' question:
Am I correct in thinking European butters' premium is due to a lower percentage of water and that the cows often eat outside for richer color?

Higher fat content. Better food regulation. Not big US ag trying to kill you.

I can get hand churn butter from local farmers here that is even better, but it takes me driving to a little place in town that sells it.

 

[doitmyself]

A Google search suggests it's simply cyclic supply/demand issues revolving around our current global trade uncertainties.

To AdmiralYoda, a Google search also explains the differences between U.S. butter and Irish butter. I just got educated too. Beyond higher fat content, better texture, and better flavor, there are claims it has healthier ingredients also coming from grass fed cows vs. grain fed.

 

[Wireman1987]

imported butter is tasty but I won't lose my top over it.

 

[BHopkins]

When I was at Costco late last week, they had plenty of Kerrygold. They also had plenty of a different Irish butter brand that I didn't recognize.

One of the things that sets premium butter apart from regular butter is the cow's diet, grain fed vs grass fed.

 

[97prizm]

So for the last 3-4 weeks I weren't able to buy the usual butter I normally get -- imported European versions, preferably from Ireland. Bare shelves, essentially. Even the "European style" butter is gone - it's a poor substitute but still better than organic and non-organic regular butters but people might be desperate.

Luckily last Sunday I came across a store that still had some Kerrygold so bought a couple months worth of supplies.

Is this local to central Illinois or have you noticed this as well lately?

Maybe a local issue. I haven't seen any problems in Colorado. In fact we had a couple of good sales recently. If you want fantastic cultured butter check out Bella La Crema. They have a big selection and ship. Apparently cultured butter is more time intensive but has complex flavor.

 

[Hohn]

So for the last 3-4 weeks I weren't able to buy the usual butter I normally get -- imported European versions, preferably from Ireland. Bare shelves, essentially. Even the "European style" butter is gone - it's a poor substitute but still better than organic and non-organic regular butters but people might be desperate.

Luckily last Sunday I came across a store that still had some Kerrygold so bought a couple months worth of supplies.

Is this local to central Illinois or have you noticed this as well lately?

Indiana in my area has all the Kerry Gold one could wish for.

 

[Hohn]

imported butter is tasty but I won't lose my top over it.

Especially the French stuff. Leave it to the French to take all things culinary as far as they can go.

Imagine growing up in WI, "America's dairyland" and tasting french butter for the first time. My childhood collapsed at the first taste.

It was like the first time I tasted Blue Bell and had to concede that Texas made ice cream far superior to the stuff I had as a kid in WI.

 

[Expendable]

Especially the French stuff. Leave it to the French to take all things culinary as far as they can go.

Imagine growing up in WI, "America's dairyland" and tasting french butter for the first time. My childhood collapsed at the first taste.

It was like the first time I tasted Blue Bell and had to concede that Texas made ice cream far superior to the stuff I had as a kid in WI.

Well there you go..... I grew up in WI and I don't care for Blue Bell

 

[loneryder]

Bob is the Butter Guy!

 

[Hohn]

Well there you go..... I grew up in WI and I don't care for Blue Bell

Blue Bunny has a sort of permanent hold on me still.. Or whatever the cheap stuff from IGA was.

 

[ripcord]

There has been a lot of bad press lately about how some butter brands including Kerry Gold are adulterated with "bad stuff." It may be that some habitual Kerry Gold purchasers are now buying the other fancy butter brands, instead, making it hard for retailers to maintain supply of those low volume products on their shelves.

 

[PandaBear]

Serious 'jump-in' question:
Am I correct in thinking European butters' premium is due to a lower percentage of water and that the cows often eat outside for richer color?

Dairy products have different flavor profile due to what the cows eat, how they process it (i.e. are they pasteurized to the same temperature), and also like water content etc.

I know in the world of evaporated milk (canned), some brand taste completely different than the others and I would pay a premium for a brand called Black and White instead of Carnation or store brand.

 

[Wireman1987]

Me and the Mrs were on Land O' Lakes fan club until they went woke.. she splurges and buys the Kerrygold, when I shop I buy the store brand unsalted sweet cream stick butter.

 

[4wd]

I just buy Falfurrias - even though it’s not made there now - still Texas made and easy to find …