When you think of Epicurean Finishing Butters, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the depth and flavor that they bring to your culinary creations. But underneath all of that flavor is our all-natural, rBST-free butter...pure and simple. But what is rBST and why is rBST-free butter an important part of our recipe?
What is rBST?
Bovine somatotrophin (BST), also known as bovine growth hormone (BGH), is a hormone naturally produced by cows. It’s released in small quantities and helps regulate metabolic processes. When given to lactating cows in higher quantities, it also helps boost milk production. The gene for BST was discovered and patented in the 1970’s. This made it possible for biotech companies to synthesize the hormone and make recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST/rBGH.
What’s the big deal?
On average, cows that are given rBST produce 11-16% more milk. But there are health issues that arise as well, and as a result, antibiotic use is also increased in cows treated with rBST. Many studies have been done, and there is a lot of debate about whether rBST and/or antibiotics negatively impact the health of humans.
At Epicurean, we believe in creating the best butter, from start to finish. The more simple, the better. We hope you agree.
