How Bilona Ghee Is Made: The Traditional Way, Step by Step
Ghee Guide
3 min read
By Graamio
You may have seen “bilona” on a jar of ghee and wondered what it means. In simple words, bilona is the slow, traditional way of making ghee: the milk is first set into curd, and the ghee is made from the butter churned out of that curd.
How bilona ghee is made
1
Milk to curd
Setting the curd
The milk is gently heated, cooled, and set into curd (dahi), usually overnight. Everything starts from curd, not from cream.
2
Churning
The bilona
The curd is churned with a wooden churner (madhani). This slow churning is what gives the method its name.
3
Butter
White butter rises
As the curd is churned, white butter (makkhan) separates and floats up. The thin buttermilk (chaas) is left behind.
4
Slow heating
Butter becomes ghee
The butter is heated slowly on a low flame until the water cooks off and the milk solids settle. The clear golden ghee is then strained.
Bilona vs the cream method
Ghee can be made in more than one way. Here is a simple comparison of how the two common methods work.
| Feature | Bilona (curd) method | Cream method |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Milk set into curd | Cream taken from milk |
| Churning | Curd is churned slowly | Cream is churned, often by machine |
| Time and effort | More steps, takes longer | Fewer steps, faster |
| Aroma | Often described as rich and nutty | Often milder |
Quick summary
- Bilona ghee is made from curd, not directly from cream.
- The curd is churned into butter, and the butter is slowly heated into ghee.
- It takes more time and steps than the cream method.
How to enjoy bilona ghee
On hot rotis and parathas
Over dal and khichdi
In tadka
In halwa and laddoos
How to store ghee at home
Use a clean, dry spoon
Keep the lid closed
Store in a cool, dry place
Label check before you buy any ghee
MethodBilona, cream or other. It should be stated clearly.
IngredientsShould be simple and clearly listed.
FSSAI numberMust be on the label.
Traditional MethodsMade the old way
Carefully PackedSafe to your door
Cash on DeliveryPay when it arrives
Easy SupportOne message away
G
From the Graamio kitchen. We share simple, honest guides on oils, ghee and dry fruits, so you can shop and cook with confidence.