Butter me up: Paris gets its first boutique devoted to France’s favorite fat

Paris has introduced its first boutique dedicated solely to butter, located just a short distance from the iconic Eiffel Tower. The establishment, named Le Butter Shop, offers 30 different varieties of butter sourced from small family producers in Brittany, the Loire Valley, and northern France. France consumes approximately 8 kilograms of butter per person annually, which is among the highest levels in the world.

Despite this high consumption, the nation maintains a relatively low obesity rate of 14%, compared to the 19% average for wealthy nations in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Owner Erwan Leo, 34, encourages customers to sample the various butters before making a purchase, ranging from a 10-gram pat to a kilogram block. The shop features classic flavors such as vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, and chocolate, as well as more unconventional options like shallot, pepper, seaweed, wild garlic, and fine herbs. Leo emphasizes that butter should be used in cooking to enhance a meal, not to intoxication.

The popularity of the shop has attracted visitors from around the world, including a couple from Dublin, Ireland who were specifically drawn to the shop after seeing it on social media. Similarly, a chef from Estonia, who works in Norway, sought out French butter to share with his friend back home. Leo attributes the butter's appeal to the Parisian lifestyle of walking frequently and practicing moderation. He advises that one should not exceed four tartines (open-faced sandwiches) per day while enjoying butter.

The boutique's success can be traced back to its unique selection of butter, which is made from selected cows and higher-fat milk. The secret to savoring this fatty delight lies in the proper tasting technique, similar to wine tasting: using a spoon to taste the butter, allowing it to melt slightly on the palate to reveal its flavors.

Leo's producers churn the butter to ensure it contains an extra 2 or 3 percentage points of fat, making a significant difference in taste. The tiny shop has gained attention through social media and now employs four people.

Looking ahead, the shop plans to introduce a croissant-flavored butter and potentially a violet-flavored variety.