[Sca-cooks] The history of Iberian butter

[Susan Lord]

> David Friedman)wrote:
> 
> Period Islamic recipes combining honey and butter are not 
> uncommon—

Now that I think of it butter is not uncommon in Hispano-Muslim medieval recipes but sometime between the Christian conquest of Spain and the 19th century butter disappears from the map. When Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony married King Ferdinand VII of Spain in 1819, a butter factory was installed in Madrid to the delight of the diplomats from northern countries. Unfortunately, for them, she died 10 years later with her the butter factory disappeared. 

1. I am surprised to read that a  butter "factory" had to be established. It other areas it is assumed that butter was churned in the household. In Spain, the ground floors of royal palaces were occupied by the smithies - the blacksmith, the coppersmith, the dressmaker etc. One would think that the butter maker would be there should royalty or royal recipes require it.  Why wouldn’t a diplomat employ someone to churn cream into butter in his own palace?

2. What is the history of butter in Iberia? It was not until the end of the Franco regime during the 20th century that eatable butter was on sale in local first class supermarkets in Madrid, not elsewhere and the cost was dear. Second class butter was available but it tasted like grease not butter.