What exactly is it?
Abernethy’s Chipotle Chilli and Smoked Paprika Butter retails for £3.71 per 100g. It’s a positively renowned product from the Abernethy Butter brand, which crafts dairy products from the milk of grass-fed cows. Produced on the picturesque farm of Will and Allison Abernethy in Dromara, Co Down, their butter has become a gastronomic staple for Michel-starred chefs across the UK and Ireland. A drawcard is its quaint, traditional packaging in vintage butter pat rolls showcasing the imprint of the butter churn paddles. Although it’s available in a wide range of flavours, including plain salted and unsalted, the chipotle chilli and smoked paprika is a standout.
What more can you tell me?
This flavourful butter, notable for its bright magenta wrapper, opens up to reveal a deep saffron hue peppered with a blend of spices and herbs. Included in the blend are freeze dried garlic, cumin, coriander, oregano and parsley, along with the titular chipotle smoked chilli and smoked paprika.
What’s the best way to enjoy it?
For a standout meal, Allison Abernethy recommends using the flavoured butter to cook prawns. Alternatively, allow a slice of it to melt over a piece of grilled or steamed fish. Even when used in a simple cheese sandwich, the butter lends an impressive complexity to a typical snack. What’s particularly striking about this product is how the bold spices and smoke elements complement rather than overpower the rich butter taste.
How can I get my hands on it?
Abernethy Butter is retailing at multiple quality food shops and delis, but the brand also facilitates online purchases through their website abernethybutter.com. The delivery charge to the Republic is £6 (€7) with an external courier service.
And what about the future of the company?
The Abernethys are planning to retire, hence they’ve begun negotiations to sell their successful company to Peter Hannan of Hannan Meats. Despite this pending transition, supply chains will remain consistent, with plans underway to continue small-scale production.