BUTTER-TREE, various tropical or sub tropical trees of different genera and even families. Their seeds yield fixed oils which resemble butter and are similarly used or are employed for lighting. The leading group is perhaps the genus Butyrospermum of the family Sapotacee. Of this genus the best-known species are B. longifolium, the Indian oil-tree, whose wood resembles teak, and is in use in the East; B. butyraceum, the Indian butter-tree, whose light wood is of no commercial import ance; and B. latifolium, the East Indian Ma howa, Mahwa or Madhuca. Besides. the oil obtained from each of these trees, B. butyra ceum yields an edible fruit, and the corollas of B. latifolium are either eaten raw or are used for making a liquor or for distilling their es sential oil. Butyrospermum parkii is the butter tree of central Africa. It yields the galam or shea butter, obtained by boiling the seeds, which is locally an important article of commerce. The oil is obtained by boiling the kernels of the sun or kiln-dried seeds in water. It pos
sesses long keeping qualities. Various species of the genus Caryocar (q.v.), natives of South America, are known as butter-trees.
a machine designed to unite the small particles of butter, remove the buttermilk and water and incorporate the salt, giving the product a uniform appearance. Hand and power machines are made, the large power workers being also used for blending butters to make them uniform. The makes are variable and numerous; some being combined with a churn, the butter not being removed until it is finished. The former method of working by the hands injured the texture of the product and was too slow. With the pres ent machinery the butter is untouched by hand, can be held at a temperature of 45° to 55° F. during working and is handled expeditiously. They are a necessity in all creameries and dairies where butter is made in large quantities.
See also BUTTER; CREAMERIES; DAIRYING.