A2 Cow Ghee: Ancestral Superfood or Just Hype? The Truth Behind the Buzz

“Maintaining a fit body is all about 70% diet and 30% exercise”- A common saying in the fitness world. The importance of diet is a movement now, and healthy eating is a cult. From Insta hacks to seeking specific dietary advice, everyone has joined the race of eating healthy and eating right. The traditional foods are in a resurrection phase, and people are looking for more indigenous food choices that are considered natural healers that nourish the body and the soul. 

One such ingredient from our culture is making a comeback in the arena. This golden ingredient has been the love of every Indian household, from regular to festive occasions. It is the hero that would enhance the taste of each dish, whether savory or sweet. 

Yes, from being lovingly drizzled over hot steaming dal-chawal by Dadi to being whipped into bulletproof coffee by the Silicon Valley biohackers, this ingredient has undergone a massive glow-up. 

There would be many right guesses by now, correct? 

It is a humble ingredient of the Indian kitchens that is paving the way into the global markets- A2 cow Ghee. It has multiple benefits, but with a number of variants coming up, it is often confusing for the buyer. What is better? What to choose? What is A2, and why is it different? 

Several questions may be storming the mind as of now. So let us solve this maze, one step at a time.

Fats are not our enemy, of course, if consumed in moderation. But is there one specific kind of fat that is good for all? That is the point of debate. 

Traditionally, ghee has been consumed by our ancestors for ages. Ayurveda is the proof. However, the pure form is always better than other forms. A2 ghee is one such form that is prepared by the bilona process of ghee making. The method involves churning the curd of A2 milk with a wooden bilona to separate out butter, which is further reduced to form the ghee. 

However, when all ghee has so many benefits, why is A2 a standout?

Although all ghee has its unique benefits to offer, their nutritional value and method of production provide them with an edge in terms of quality and purity.

It may be a common query: is this ghee worth all that hype, being expensive, exotic-sounding, and treated like liquid gold by marketers? There may be so many myths like, “Is it not the same as other ghee?” or “Ayurveda is outdated,” or “Expensive does not mean better.” 

Ghee is considered to be one of the most significant parts of Indian culture and food. It is mentioned extensively in Ayurveda as Ghrita, which points to the goodness of ghee as a daily nourisher and is considered a food that will cause no harm even on daily consumption.

It is mentioned as useful in the following processes: 

• Detoxification
• Balancing the three doshas
• Enhancing Agni or digestive fire
• As a component of medicinal formulations

Modern science is also catching up with Ayurveda. There have been a lot of scientific studies that have tried to align Ayurvedic findings with modern science. Endorsing the Ayurvedic claims, modern science has concluded that 

• Studies have documented that moderate consumption of ghee can be helpful in the reduction of cholesterol and bad fats in the body
• CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is present in ghee. Its role as an anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effect is documented as well (Can you somehow join the dots- that ghee massage granny applied for her joint pains?)

A2 ghee can be regarded as a golden elephant, which is expensive than regular ghee. But this is not a branding gimmick, guys. The process of making this ghee requires patience, practice, and care. 

• The milk is ethically sourced from desi cows that are naturally bred, unlike their hybrid counterparts.
• The desi cow’s milk production is lower compared to the crossbreeds; thus, the supply of raw materials is lower
• The bilona method of ghee production is a time-consuming process, and as it is hand-made, it can be made only in small batches- labor-intensive!

So, when you buy A2 ghee, you're not just buying a product, you’re investing in purity, ethics, and health.

And yes, A2 bilona ghee comes with a higher price tag- but do you think it is overpriced?

• Deep fry
• Sautéing
• Roasting