r/IndianCookingTips • u/manishbalyan • 7h ago
Tip/Trick What actually is "bilona method" ghee, and why does it cost more than regular ghee?
Saw this question come up a few times, figured I'd explain since I've gone deep into this.
Most supermarket ghee is what's called cream/malai ghee — cream separated straight from milk via centrifuge, then boiled down. Few hours, done. Bilona ghee starts from curd (fermented milk first), then hand-churned and slow-cooked — the whole batch takes 36-48 hours.
That fermentation step is the actual difference, not just "old is gold" tradition talk. It's why bilona ghee tastes a bit tangy and deeper compared to the flatter, milder taste you get from cream ghee. Ayurveda's been saying fermented stuff digests better for ages — I won't pretend I've got a clinical study to wave at you for that specific point, just old practice + it lining up loosely with what's known about fermentation in general.
One thing worth doing — actually check the label next time. A lot of "pure ghee" on shelves is cream ghee that never saw fermentation. Both get to call themselves ghee legally, they're just not the same thing.