Ghee
Ghee (
Hindi घी, from
Sanskrit ghṛta घृत "sprinkled"
Urdu ; گهى) is a type of
clarified butter important in
Indian cuisine and
Pakistani cuisine. Ghee is made by
simmering unsalted
butter in a large
pot, until its water has boiled off and its
protein has settled to the bottom. The clarified butter is then spooned off, taking care not to disturb the milk solids on the bottom of the pan. This method of preparation gives ghee a somewhat nutty aroma that Western clarified butter does not have.
Unlike
butter, ghee can be stored for extended periods without
refrigeration, provided it is kept in an
airtight container to prevent
oxidation. This extended life is due to the destruction of
microbes and
enzymes during simmering and the removal of water. Also unlike butter, ghee can be heated to its
smoke point without discoloring or developing a burnt taste, making it superior for
deep frying. In fact, until refined
vegetable oil came into popular use in India, ghee was the mainstay of all fried dishes.
Ghee is frequently used for
libations in
Vedic rituals (see
Yajurveda), and there is even a
hymn to ghee. Ghee is also
burned in the
Hindu religious ceremony of
Aarti. It is used in marriages and funerals, and for bathing idols during worship. In other religious observances, such as the prayers to
Shiva on
Maha Shivaratri, ghee is sacrificed along with four other sacred substances: sugar, milk, yogurt and honey. According to the
Mahabharata, ghee is the very root of sacrifice by
Bhishma.
Like any
clarified butter, Ghee is composed almost entirely of
saturated fat, the excessive consumption of which is linked with a variety of maladies, including
coronary heart disease.
Ayurvedic texts, however, describe many diverse mind/body benefits. For example,
* Absorption: Ghee is an integral part of the science of ayurvedic herbal formulation. Since ghee is an oil, it can bond with lipid-soluble nutrients and herbs to penetrate the lipid-based cell walls of the body. It is stated to increase the potency of certain herbs by carrying the active components to the interior of the cells where they impart the most benefit.
* Digestion: The ayurvedic texts say that Ghee helps balance excess stomach acid, and helps maintain/repair the mucus lining of the stomach.
* Mild Burns: Like aloe, Ghee is said to prevent blisters and scarring if applied quickly to affected skin.
* Mind: Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning -- learning, memory and recall.
* Ayurvedic Balance: Ghee balances both
Vata (the
dosha that controls movement in mind and body) and
Pitta (the dosha that controls heat and metabolism).
Ayurveda makes use of ghee in medications. Eating ghee is believed to enhance
virility and sexual potency.
