From French bakeries to Danish breakfasts, butter and ghee bring warmth, richness, and soul to kitchens across the world. Who are the keenest butter fiends?
Data courtesy United Nations Food & Agriculture FAOSTAT (2022).
Danes lead the world in their love of makhan. And like the Irish they make high quality butter. 8.6 kg of butter per person is consumed yearly and is mainly spread thick on rye bread and folded into creamy pastries.
The French consume 8.4 kg per head, yearly, in their pastries, on baguettes, croissants, macarons, madeleines. French butter contains a higher percentage of butterfat, giving it a deeper, more luxurious flavour.
Bahrainis use a lavish 8.2 kg per person each year, especially in Middle Eastern sweets and rich, buttery meals cooked with ghee.
7.8 kg butter is utilised each year by every Belgian -- in waffles, pastries, sauces and other indulgent foods.
The Dutch have an average consumption per person of 6.9 kg a year. Known for their world-famous dairy products, their butter is equally creamy and a great finish to toast and baked goods alike.
Butter consumption in NZ: 6.4 kg per Kiwi annually.
Butter is the comfort of Icelanders, especially during the long, cold winters. They use 6.3 kg per head every year, spreading it on dark rye bread and adding it to fish dishes.