ArchiveCase 129 of 200 · Category 10
Category 10Culinary Rebranding II

Bulletproof / Keto brands

"Golden Elixir" Ghee

STOLEN
The Appropriation

Bulletproof / Keto brands

Item
"Golden Elixir" Ghee
Retail
₹2,490$30
Spin
""Lactose-free bio-hack lipid""
Repackaged as wellness bio-hack lipid

Keto brands, including Bulletproof, have rebranded ghee as a "Golden Elixir" and a "lactose-free bio-hack lipid." They market small jars of this traditional Indian staple at significantly inflated prices, positioning it as a premium health product for the keto diet. This repackaging strips the substance of its cultural context and ancient heritage, presenting it as a new discovery rather than a centuries-old, widely used ingredient.

The Origin

घी

Ghee

Region
Pan-India
True Value
₹400/kg$4.82/kg
Category
10 · Culinary Rebranding II
Pan-Indian sacred clarified butter

Ghee (घी) is a traditional clarified butter, deeply rooted in Indian culinary and spiritual practices across the subcontinent. Made by simmering butter to separate milk solids, it's revered for its rich flavor, nutritional value, and medicinal properties in Ayurveda. It plays a central role in daily cooking, religious ceremonies, and as an offering, often prepared lovingly by family elders like a 'dadi' for dishes such as halwa.

FX reference: 1 USD ≈ ₹83 — for comparison only

The Story

The Backstory

Keto brands, including Bulletproof, began marketing "Golden Elixir" Ghee, repackaging the traditional Indian clarified butter into small jars. Sold for approximately $30, this product was positioned as a "lactose-free bio-hack lipid," targeting the health and wellness market with a premium price point for a common household staple.

The Cultural Origin

Ghee (घी) is a staple in Indian cuisine and religious practices, revered across the subcontinent for millennia. This clarified butter, made by simmering butter to separate milk solids, is central to Ayurvedic medicine for its purported health benefits and used extensively in cooking, from everyday meals to festive sweets like halwa. It also holds significant sacred value, used in Hindu rituals and offerings as a symbol of purity and nourishment.

The News Story

The appropriation of ghee by keto brands sparked discussions online, with many Indian consumers and cultural commentators pointing out the absurdity of marketing a common, affordable ingredient as a luxury health product. Objections centered on the rebranding of a culturally significant item with a high markup, ignoring its origins and traditional uses, and presenting it as a novel discovery to a Western audience.

Editor's Notes

Ghee repackaged into tiny jars and sold as a keto bio-hack lipid for $30. The same fat your dadi browns for halwa.

Further Reading

Reporting forthcoming

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