Butter: Bakery essential, insult inspiration, wedding gift

Not that long ago, butter had its health-villain era. Margarine reigned and fridges were stocked with ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter’ and alternative dairy spreads. But in recent times, we’ve seen tech-bros ‘biohack’ their coffee with butter, and butter boards and butter sculptures leave a sunny glow on social media. Is there a scientific basis for this change in dietary trends? And what about the cultural role of butter, beyond health fads and online virality? In this episode, Lee Tran Lam talks to baker Anu Haran, butter-maker Pierre Issa and food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett.