7 Best Butter Brands in Kenya (Ranked List)

Butter is definitely one of the most interesting dairy products, right up there with cheese. But it’s also pretty pricey, especially here in Kenya. So, if you’re going to spend that much, you might as well get the best bang for your buck. In this post, I’ve ranked my top butter brands from worst to best to help you make the right choice.

Also Read: Why Butter and Cheese are So Expensive in Kenya

Spoiler alert: the best butter brands out there, not just in Kenya but worldwide, are European. So naturally, the top spots on this list go to Irish and Danish brands, which are also the most expensive.

That said, there are local options that, while they don’t quite match up to the European ones, offer decent value for the price.

The European butters are your best bet if you’re all about top-notch quality with zero compromises. I’ll be ranking everything from the most average to the best you can find in Kenya, so let’s do this.

And, as always, this is just my personal ranking—no affiliations with any of the brands here. Go with whatever fits your needs and budget!

Table of Contents

7. Daima

Price Per 500g: KSh 925

Daima is pretty much the most basic butter you can get. And by basic, I don’t mean bad—it does meet the requirement of having 80% milk fat to be called butter.

It’s just okay, but in my experience, it’s not the best, especially for the price. Two other local options are way better, so Daima should be your last pick if the other ones aren’t available. It just doesn’t have that rich, buttery flavor you’d want.

Interestingly, Daima seems to always land at the bottom in most of my dairy reviews, though I do have to give them credit for their decent yogurts and ice creams!

6. Brookside

Price Per 500g: 900

It’s a bit surprising to see Brookside, one of the most respected local dairy brands, rank so low on this list. But let me explain. First off, despite being in 6th place, it’s still my go-to butter brand. Just because it’s not at the top doesn’t mean it’s bad—it’s just that other brands have a slight edge over it.

So why do I still buy it? Simple: it offers the best value for money. If you’re budget-conscious and want decent butter, Brookside is your pick.

It’s competitively priced and a better option than Daima. Plus, it’s often on sale—at least once a month—when the price can drop to as low as KSh 800. Since butter lasts for over a year, I stock up during these sales.

The reason Brookside ranks here is mainly due to its texture and moisture content. I find it a bit too high in moisture, which isn’t ideal for baking. But for general use, it’s still a solid choice, and the texture is so light at room temperature almost like whipped cream.

5. KCC

Price Per 500g: 900

KCC is just a notch above Brookside when it comes to taste. It has a slightly richer flavor, but in terms of overall quality, there’s really no major difference between the two.

The only downside with KCC is its inconsistent availability, and it only comes in 500g packs, whereas Brookside and Daima offer 250g options for those on a budget who prefer smaller packs.

Since KCC is a bit better and priced the same as Brookside, I usually go for it when Brookside isn’t on sale—because, let’s be honest, KCC rarely goes on sale.

4. Bio

Price Per 500g: 950

Bio is actually a solid local butter brand, but the main issue is finding it in stock—if I thought KCC was inconsistent, Bio is even harder to come by.

In terms of quality, though, it’s definitely a step up from the previous brands mentioned. Bio is marketed as a premium butter, but surprisingly, the price difference compared to other local brands is marginal. It does go on sale occasionally, though not as often as Brookside.

That said, Bio has the same issue as Brookside when it comes to higher moisture content. The package says it doesn’t exceed 16%, which is the legal limit for butter. But as a rule of thumb, the lower the moisture, the better. Butter with 12% moisture would be superior to this 16%. Brookside, for example, has a slightly better max moisture content at 15%.

If you’re into baking, the moisture content is crucial—it affects the final texture and consistency. For other everyday uses, though, you’ll be just fine with Bio.

3. Browns

Price Per 500g: 980

Browns is probably the most special and artisanal local Kenyan butter brand. And it’s not just butter—they also make some pretty impressive cheeses that can even rival imported Danish brands.

What makes Browns butter so unique is that it’s handcrafted. It’s also cultured and left to ferment overnight before being made, which gives it a subtle tangy aftertaste that adds complexity to its flavor. If you’re into home baking, Browns really shines here, and I definitely recommend it.

Like most butter, it comes in salted and unsalted versions, but the salted one is a bit fancier—it’s made with sea salt instead of regular table salt. Sea salt has larger crystals, and you might even spot them in the butter, which adds a nice texture when you spread it on bread or toast. It’s meant to be savored more as a topping or spread than for cooking. Oh, and it’s fantastic on popcorn too!

While Browns is the priciest local option in supermarkets, there are ways to get it cheaper. You can buy it directly from their website at a wholesale price of KSh 800, or, if you’re near Tigoni, swing by their plant to grab it for less. They also offer delivery, so you can order a few blocks and have them brought straight to your door!

2. Lurpak

Here we have a Danish brand, which means we’re dealing with some seriously fine butter. It’s definitely a step up from all the other local brands we’ve talked about, but the price can be a tough pill to swallow, even considering it’s an imported, perishable product. Think of it as the Gucci handbag of butter.

Honestly, I can’t justify spending KSh 1,500 on a 400g block of butter when you can get a decent 500g for KSh 800.

Lurpak offers two versions: the regular butter and a “spreadable butter” that’s easy to spread right out of the fridge. But let’s be real—real butter shouldn’t be spreadable when cold, so you might want to skip the spreadable version.

The regular Lurpak butter is excellent in terms of texture, moisture content, and flavor—way better than most others. The only downside is the price. But again, it does come in nice packaging to make you feel better.

1. Ballyrashane Iris

It’s definitely pricey, but I snagged it on sale and found it to be the best butter I’ve ever tasted in terms of both texture and flavor. Ballyrashane and Lurpak are the only European butter brands you can find in Kenya, with Ballyrashane, an Irish brand mostly being rarer, while Lurpak is always in stock.

What sets European butters apart is their higher fat content compared to others worldwide. Butter should have at least 80% fat, and these European options go well beyond that, giving you a richer, more intense flavor.

Yes, it’s expensive—not as costly as Lurpak, but still pricier than the average brands. Gourmet butters like these really shine when used for specific purposes like topping, spreading, or baking. For regular heat cooking, though, normal butters will do just fine, as the difference is minimal in those cases.

Thoughts?

When it comes to choosing the right butter, your decision can largely depend on your budget and what you’re using it for.

For Budget Consumers and Regular Cooking

If you’re looking for something affordable and practical for everyday use, local options like Brookside and KCC are solid choices. They offer good value and are generally reliable for regular cooking. Brookside provides a bit more value for money, especially when on sale, while KCC offers a richer taste when available. Daima is the most basic option but is still decent if the others aren’t in stock.

For Premium Culinary Masterpieces & Baking

When quality is key and you’re preparing something special, such as gourmet dishes or upscale spreads, European brands like Lurpak and Ballyrashane are worth the splurge.

These butters have a higher fat content, which contributes to a more intense flavor and richer texture.

In baking, where the quality of butter can make a significant difference, especially for delicate pastries like croissants, opt for the highest quality butter you can find for their high-fat content and low moisture percentage which can make a night and day difference here