Expensive, but worth it when it flavor matters the most. It's still less expensive than Kerrygold Irish Butter, since Kerrygold typically is sold in 8 oz packages (a half pound) rather than a full pound like Tillamook. To be honest, I think Kerrygold Irish Butter does edge out Tillamook in creaminess with 82% butterfat compared to Tillamook's 81%. Many European butters, which are harder to find where I live, and even more expensive, can have as much as 86% butterfat, which I can't imagine what a kick in the taste buds that would be! Still, Tillamook's 81% butterfat is still higher than the minimum of 80% required by USDA standards to be even called "butter". This small percentage point makes a difference in cooking or baking where fat content determines how butter-based recipes come out, not only in terms of that luscious butter flavor, but in texture. If you are making traditional Scottish shortbread, the only ingredients are flour, butter, and sugar. Sometimes a pinch of salt is added to bring out the butter flavor and balance the sweetness of the sugar. Generally I prefer to use salted butters in most of my recipes--other cookies, cakes, pie crusts, biscuits, and other foods, even those calling for unsalted butter, including American buttercream frosting that can be cloyingly sweet. I do notice that Tillamook is less salty than many salted butters--especially compared to the cheap butters that seem to add salt to cover up off, even bitter, flavors in the butter itself. You may need to still add salt in certain recipes such as pasta sauces if that is according to your taste. Tillamook does make an unsalted version as well. I have used both, and there is no difference in how my food turns out when adjusted for salt. And yes, it is delicious on bread and biscuits, toasts, vegetables, and so forth. Other than salt in the unsalted version, Tillamook also does not contain any artificial colors or preservatives, but it's butter, so it's not by any means "healthy". I find it hard not to use Tillamook for everyday because it is a definite luxury purchase in this household. I still recommend it for anyone trying out a "butter-forward" recipe.
