The Butter of Choice
Why We Use European Butter in Our Pastries
In the world of baking, the quality of ingredients can make all the difference. At our patisserie, we believe that every ingredient should enhance the taste and texture of our creations, which is why we carefully select the finest butter for our recipes. While there are many excellent butters available globally, we exclusively use European butter. Here’s why we consider European butter the superior choice for our pastries and how it compares to other high-quality options like Australian butter.
Understanding European Butter
European butter is renowned for its exceptional quality and distinctive flavour. It is made with care, following traditional methods that enhance its natural properties:
Higher Butterfat Content: European butter typically has a butterfat content of at least 82%, compared to the standard 80% found in many butters worldwide. This higher fat content contributes to a richer taste and a creamier texture, which is crucial in pastries where butter plays a key role in flavour and structure.
Cultured Cream: A defining feature of many European butters, especially those from countries like France, Denmark, and Germany, is that they are made from cultured cream. This process involves fermenting the cream before churning, which adds a subtle tanginess and a deeper, more complex flavour profile compared to sweet cream butters. This enhances the overall taste of our baked goods, adding layers of sophistication.
Traditional Churning Process: European butter is often made using traditional churning methods, which help develop its smooth and creamy texture. This method ensures that the butter retains its natural flavours and moisture, making it an ideal choice for baking delicate pastries.
Australian Butter: A High-Quality Alternative
Australian butter is also highly regarded for its clean, fresh taste and high production standards. Australia’s dairy industry is known for its purity and the quality of feed provided to cows, ensuring excellent butter quality. Here’s what makes Australian butter stand out:
Fresh Cream Base: Australian butter is often made from fresh, sweet cream, giving it a clean, pure flavour. Its bright, buttery taste makes it ideal for various culinary applications.
Stringent Farming Standards: Australian dairy farms maintain high production standards, ensuring consistent quality. While Australian butter may have a slightly lower butterfat content than European butter, it is often firmer and more stable, making it beneficial for certain types of baking where sturdier butter is required.
Why We Prefer European Butter for Our Pastries
While both European and Australian butters are of high quality, we believe European butter is superior for our pastries due to its unique qualities:
Depth and Complexity: The cultured cream used in European butter gives it a more complex flavour, adding a unique character to pastries. The slight tanginess from fermentation enhances both sweet and savoury bakes, making them more memorable.
Texture Benefits: The higher butterfat content in European butter results in a creamier, more pliable dough, essential for creating the crisp, buttery base of our tarts. This characteristic also adds a rich, moist texture to our financiers, making them tender and full of flavour.
Enhanced Baking Performance: European butter’s rich fat content helps it melt more smoothly into doughs and batters, ensuring even baking and a delicate, tender crumb. This is key to achieving the perfect balance of structure and melt-in-the-mouth softness we strive for in our tarts, financiers, and cookies.
Celebrating Both Butters
While we choose European butter for its particular benefits in our baking style, we acknowledge the high quality of Australian butter. Its clean, fresh taste is ideal for many culinary applications and remains a great option for those seeking a milder butter flavour.
Ultimately, the choice of butter can significantly impact the flavour and texture of baked goods. By selecting European butter, we ensure that every pastry we create has the rich, nuanced flavour and delightful texture that our customers expect. Whether you’re enjoying the crisp layers of a tart or the soft, tender bite of a financier, the superior quality of European butter is one of the reasons our cakes and pastries are truly special.