From Yak to Camel to Cow: The World of Ghee and Where to Find Ghee in Canada

What if I told you that one humble kitchen ingredient could connect the Himalayan mountains, South Asian feasts, Middle Eastern deserts, Mediterranean markets, and North American health conscious kitchens? Ghee, the golden clarified butter, is a global marvel that has been cherished for centuries—not just for its rich flavour, but for its practicality, cultural significance, and versatility. Ghee isn’t just food. It’s a story. A survival tool. A luxury. A connection to the land and the animals that produce it.

From cow ghee to the exotic camel and yak ghees, this journey will take you across continents, exploring the tastes, traditions, and unique uses of ghee from different animals. And if you’re in Canada, we’ve included tips on where to buy or how to bring these international treasures closer to your pantry.

Why Ghee Became Essential Across Cultures

Before the invention of refrigeration, preserving butter was a challenge. Enter ghee. By removing water and milk solids, butter transforms into a shelf-stable fat that can withstand heat, humidity, and time. Ghee doesn’t just last for weeks—it can last for years without spoiling, making it a cornerstone in cuisines and cultures worldwide.

But ghee’s importance goes beyond its impressive shelf life. Across South Asia, ghee is drizzled over rice and lentils, where its nutty richness elevates even the simplest meal. In Morocco, smen—a fermented form of ghee—is spread over bread like butter, adding a funky, tangy kick. From the Middle East to the Himalayas, ghee is savoured not just as a cooking fat but as a luxurious topping or even eaten straight with bread.

Today, ghee has gained popularity among modern diets like paleo, keto, and carnivore. With its high-fat, zero-carb profile and lactose-free nature, ghee is a perfect addition to meals for those seeking flavour, health benefits, and versatility. Whether you’re frying, baking, roasting, or simply enjoying it as a spread, ghee is the golden elixir that transcends culinary boundaries.

Cow Ghee: The Golden Staple of South Asia

Cow ghee is the most iconic and widely used type of ghee. From the fragrant kitchens of Sri Lanka to the vibrant sweet shops of Bangladesh, and from the temples of India to the bustling markets of Pakistan, cow ghee has been at the heart of culinary culture for centuries. In South Asian homes, cow ghee is an everyday staple, drizzled over steaming plates of dal, used to fry golden parathas, or mixed into khichuri for a comforting, rainy-day meal. Beyond cooking, it plays a central role in festivals and religious ceremonies, symbolizing purity, abundance, and auspiciousness.

But cow ghee isn’t just for traditional dishes. Its versatility has made it a modern-day kitchen essential. Whether you’re frying golden-crisp dosas, drizzling it over roasted vegetables, or blending it into bulletproof coffee, cow ghee delivers flavour and nutrition.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Order Gheedy-Up’s caramelized cow ghee today and discover how this Canadian-made treasure can transform your meals. At Gheedy-Up, we elevate cow ghee by caramelizing it to create a bold, nutty flavour that enhances both sweet and savoury dishes. This caramelization doesn’t make the ghee sweet—it amplifies its richness, making it perfect for spreading on toast, drizzling over popcorn, or even eating straight out of the jar. It’s a multitasking fat that bridges traditional and modern cooking.

Yak Ghee: The Himalayan Lifeline

In the cold, high-altitude regions of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, yak ghee is a life-sustaining food. Yaks, adapted to the harsh Himalayan climate, produce milk that is rich in fats, which locals churn into ghee.

Yak ghee is most famously used in butter tea (Po Cha), a warming drink made by blending yak ghee, tea, and salt. This creamy, savoury beverage provides much-needed energy and hydration in freezing temperatures. Beyond tea, yak ghee is used in hearty soups, stews, and even as a moisturizer to protect the skin from the dry mountain air.

For adventurous cooks, yak ghee is a bold addition to roasted vegetables and keto-friendly recipes. Its high omega-3 content and nutrient density make it a prized ingredient for those following high-fat diets.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Explore specialty online retailers like Mongolian Store or Etsy to bring this Himalayan treasure to your home.

Camel Ghee: The Bedouin Treasure

The golden sands of the Middle East hold a culinary and cultural treasure: camel ghee. This creamy fat, made from camel milk, is a staple for desert communities who rely on it for its versatility and nutritional value.

Among Bedouin tribes, camel ghee is often paired with dates, combining natural sweetness with creamy richness. This simple yet nourishing snack has fueled desert journeys for centuries. Camel ghee also enhances traditional breads like khubz, rich rice pilafs, and slow-cooked stews.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, camel ghee aligns perfectly with keto and paleo diets. Its unique nutritional profile makes it both a health booster and a luxurious addition to your meals.

Fun Fact: In desert communities, camel ghee is used as a moisturizer to combat dry, arid climates.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Camel ghee can be sourced from international suppliers like Desert Farms, which ships to Canada.

Goat Ghee: A Mediterranean Delight

Goat ghee is a tangy, creamy delicacy treasured in Mediterranean and North African kitchens. In Morocco, it’s often aged with herbs and spices to create smen, a funky, fermented ghee used to flavour tagines, couscous, and soups. Drizzled over flatbreads or stirred into hearty stews, goat ghee adds a subtle richness to every dish.

Goat ghee is also easier to digest than other types of ghee due to its smaller fat globules, making it a perfect choice for those with lactose sensitivities. It’s packed with nutrients, including medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), prized for their quick energy release—ideal for keto, paleo, and carnivore diets.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Look for goat ghee at health food stores or online retailers like Mt. Capra.

Sheep Ghee: Bold and Savoury

Sheep ghee, with its bold, savoury flavour, is a culinary gem of the Mediterranean. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, hearty stews, or even spread over rustic bread. Shepherds in ancient Greece relied on sheep ghee for its energy-boosting properties, long shelf life, and nutrient density.

Historically, shepherds relied on sheep ghee for its energy and long shelf life during migrations. Today, it’s appreciated for its high CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) content, which supports weight management and heart health.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Specialty Mediterranean stores and online platforms like Healthy Planet Canada.

Sign Up for our Newsletter for more stories like this!🧈✨

Water Buffalo Ghee: South Asia’s Creamy Secret

Buffalo ghee, made from the milk of water buffalo, is a beloved staple in many South Asian and Southeast Asian households. Known for its luxurious creaminess and robust flavour, buffalo ghee stands out for its higher fat content compared to cow ghee. This gives it a richer, velvety texture that’s perfect for indulgent dishes.

In Pakistan and India, buffalo ghee is often used in festive cooking, enhancing the richness of iconic dishes like korma, biryani, and decadent sweets such as gulab jamun and zarda. In Nepal, it’s a key ingredient in fried breads and hearty curries, while in Sri Lanka, it’s stirred into coconut-based dishes for an extra layer of depth.

Buffalo ghee isn’t just about flavour; it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. Its high fat content makes it an excellent energy source, especially in regions where physical labour is a way of life. Additionally, it’s a popular choice for frying due to its high smoke point, making it ideal for everything from deep-fried snacks to slow-cooked delicacies.

Why It’s Special:

Buffalo ghee has a slightly stronger and earthier flavour compared to cow ghee, making it a favourite for those who enjoy bold tastes. Its creaminess also makes it the go-to choice for desserts and rich gravies, where its fat content adds unmatched silkiness.

Where to Find It in Canada:

Look for buffalo ghee at South Asian grocery stores in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. You can also Canadian Water Buffalo ghee online at Wild Meadows Farm.

Ghee: A Timeless Tradition in Modern Kitchens

From yak ghee in the snowy Himalayas to camel ghee in the scorching deserts, ghee has proven itself as more than a cooking fat—it’s a symbol of survival, celebration, and connection. Today, it continues to bridge tradition and modernity, enhancing dishes while supporting contemporary diets like keto and paleo.

Try It for Yourself: 

Whether it’s Gheedy-Up’s caramelized ghee or exotic yak or camel ghee, there’s a world of golden goodness waiting to be explored.

Sign Up for our Newsletter for recipes, blogs, and new product updates!🧈✨