[http://www.butterbuds.com/faq/index.html butter buds]
Butter Buds contain negligible fat and caloric content compared to butter, consisting primarily of carbohydrates from the maltodextrin base. The product provides butter flavoring without nutritional benefits such as fat-soluble vitamins found in real butter.
About
Butter Buds is a commercial butter-flavored seasoning product manufactured as a granulated powder or crystalline form, designed to provide butter flavor without the fat content of actual butter. The product is created through a proprietary process that captures butter flavoring compounds and combines them with maltodextrin (a carbohydrate carrier) and other flavor agents to simulate the taste profile of butter. Developed in the 1980s, Butter Buds emerged as a response to demand for reduced-fat cooking and seasoning alternatives. The product contains no actual butterfat, making it suitable for fat-restricted diets, though it provides minimal nutritional value beyond flavor and carbohydrate content.
Culinary Uses
Butter Buds are employed in cooking and seasoning applications where butter flavor is desired without adding fat. Common uses include seasoning popcorn, vegetables, grains, and baked goods, as well as flavoring soups, sauces, and prepared dishes. The granulated form dissolves readily in wet applications and can be sprinkled dry on finished dishes. Home cooks following reduced-fat or calorie-controlled diets frequently substitute Butter Buds for actual butter in recipes, though the product lacks butter's emulsifying and textural properties essential for certain applications like pastries or laminated doughs.