So after some googling, apparently this is a VERY widespread practice spanning multiple brands, multiple manufacturers, all around the US; but I can’t seem to find any explanation. It can’t just be industry-wide madness, right? …Right?
all around the US
industry-wide madness
Not saying there isn't a better reason, but absolutely this could be it
I buy Costco butter, and they pull similar crap. The salted butter is in a blue package, but the wrap has red text, and the unsalted is in yellow packaging and the wrapper has blue text. What's even worse is the unsalted butter package has the word "unsalted" in bold red letters.
"They won't buy both. They will never know."
OP:
Think of it like home/away colors on sports uniforms. Home = blue with orange accent, away = orange with blue accent.
I shop at HEB, and buy both salted and unsalted butter for their specific uses. I can confirm that I’ve used the wrong butter multiple times because of this, and I always curse them for it. That said I still love HEB
I see HEB, I upvote. Best grocery store, hands down.
Classic red/blue loctite situation.
I get preferences but the distinction is overblown. I've never baked anything that didn't rise right or came out salty because of the butter distinction. 1/4 tsp per stick of butter isn't likely to mess with anything. The only time I've ever noticed the difference was unsalted butter on toast. I was like "why doesn't this taste like anything?"
Now that you mention it, yeah. Why does loctite do that?
Locktite comes in red bottles with a stripe the color of the fluid. Permatex is in blue.
I guess the company that makes butter for HEB must also make butter for Jewel Osco. The butter looks exactly the same, but the box is different. On the Jewel (or signature) butter box, the salted is blue like the butter paper, and the unsalted is green... For some reason. But at least one of them matches the box, so it's not as confusing.
there's a youtube vid out there somewhere explaining why (a) sticks of butter are different shapes in different part of the us and (b) factories that they're made at. I can't remember who made it, but you might be able to find it. I had no idea US West Coast butter was different.
But at least they got them packaged correctly?
Anyway, pretty weird. I've never bought salted, but my unsalted Challenge butter is in foil with blue print. Unsure about the box, I only have one quarter stick.
You have to try the salted. You don't have to refrigerate it, that why I buy it. Not a word of this to my cardiologist!!
If you use a butter bell to keep the mold out, you can leave either out the fridge! LOVE mine.
Haha what a username 🙂 I only bake with butter and like using unexpected things for salt (and unami), but I will consider picking up some for the next round. My main use takes a quarter stick at a time!
I use unsalted butter and mostly keep it un-refrigerated without issue. In the summer, I do have to move it somewhere cooler. Keeping oxygen out is important.
