Modern Traditions: Embrace The Charm of a Butter Bell
The beginners guide to using a butter bell
Remember those scorching summer days when butter turned into a melty mess, fit only for spreading on hot toast (not exactly ideal)? Yeah, me too. That's when I stumbled upon the beauty of the butter bell – a simple yet ingenious contraption that revolutionised my butter life, and dare I say, my self-sufficiency journey. It wasn't just about perfectly spreadable butter (although, let's be honest, that's a game-changer in itself!), it was about rediscovering a piece of history and embracing a more mindful approach to food storage.
Butter bells, aren't some fancy new invention. They've been gracing Aussie kitchens for generations. These humble heroes of the pantry, have been keeping butter spreadable for centuries. Invented in France around the 18th century, they were a way to preserve butter before the days of electricity.
So, what exactly is this magical butter keeper? Simply put, it's a ceramic crock with a lid and a water chamber. You fill the chamber with cold water, pop your softened butter in the inner bowl, and voilà! The water keeps the butter cool and spreadable, while the ceramic protects it from light and air, preventing that funky fridge taste. It's like a mini air-conditioned haven for your butter, ensuring freshness and flavour for days. I explain more in my TikTok video.
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Here's why butter bells are a self-sufficiency must-have:
Off-grid friendly: Ditch the fridge reliance and embrace a simpler, more sustainable way to store butter.
Fresher flavour: Say goodbye to fridge funk! Butter bells keep butter at its peak flavour and texture.
Budget-friendly: No more tossing out mouldy butter – a butter bell saves you money in the long run.
Easy to use and clean: Simply fill, store, and enjoy! No fancy gadgets or electricity needed.
A touch of heritage: Using a butter bell connects you to generations past and adds a touch of charm to your kitchen.
But here's the thing: tradition often holds wisdom, and the butter bell's comeback is proof.
The benefits go beyond delicious spreads. Butter bells are eco-friendly, they're stylish, and let's not forget the cost-effectiveness – one butter bell lasts a lifetime, saving you money.
Butter bells come in all shapes and sizes, from bench top beauties to space-saving fridge-friendly options. Now, with so many butter bells on the market, choosing the right one can be daunting. Fear not: here's my curated list of top picks (with handy Amazon links for your convenience, wink wink):
The Classic: The Le Creuset Stoneware Butter Bell is a timeless beauty, built to last and available in a range of colours to match your kitchen.
The Budget-Friendly: The original L. Tremain Butter Bell Crock is a slightly more affordable option, still made of quality ceramic and perfect for everyday use.
The Quirky: The Sunflower Butter Bell adds a touch of fun with its rooster design, reminding you of Grandma Doris' wisdom.
The Rustic: The Rustic Ceramic Butter Crock is a nod to the retro and features a natural, minimalist pattern.
The Functional: This Butter Crock With Handle And Knife is full of function. All the charm of the original butter bell with added functions like a handle and the base is designed with a place to put a knife.
Beyond butter bells - below you’ll find other handy tools that can elevate your butter game:
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Butter Curls: Use a butter knife/curler to create beautiful rosettes for fancy pastries or simply add a decorative touch to toast.
Butter Dish: The Mushroom Butter Dish With Lid is just so squeeee cute I had to add it. It’ll keep butter fresh and is high-grade kaolin for food safety, high-fired to make porcelain. Nice!
Butter Churn: You can’t go past the Kilner Glass Butter Churner if you want to make your own butter by hand. An all-in-one, easy to use solution.
Butter Infuser Machine: The Infusion Buds Butter Infuser/Herbal Butter Maker is designed with makers in mind. With the push of a button create perfectly infused butters, oils and tinctures. Garlic & parsley butter anyone?
Remember, a butter bell is just one piece of the self-sufficiency puzzle. Educators like Susanne from Eight Acres Permaculture offer a wealth of courses, workshops, and a supportive community to help you on your journey to a more independent and sustainable lifestyle. From learning basic food preservation techniques to exploring alternative energy sources, Susanne empowers you to take control and build a life that aligns with your values.
So, ditch the fridge reliance, embrace the charm of the butter bell, and discover the joy of self-sufficiency. After all, who knows when the next butter meltdown might hit? Are you ready to spread some sunshine on your toast, even if the power goes out?
Want to learn more about gardening and building a self-sufficient lifestyle? Check out these featured articles!
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