Bill Gates Supports New Carbon Butter That Tastes Like Real Dairy

A food technology company in Batavia, Illinois, called Savor has developed a completely new type of butter. It is made from carbon and hydrogen, without using cows, plants, or traditional oils. This carbon butter tastes and feels just like real dairy butter but is much better for the environment.

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How It Is Made

Savor uses advanced fermentation and molecular engineering to copy the natural fat structure found in dairy butter. The process starts by collecting carbon dioxide from the air and hydrogen from water. These elements are combined in a controlled process using heat and oxidation to create fat molecules that are chemically identical to those in dairy. The finished butter contains only fat, water, lecithin as an emulsifier, and natural flavor and coloring. It is a clean label product with no artificial additives or palm oil.

Why It’s Good for the Planet

Traditional butter production requires large amounts of land to raise cows and grow their feed. It also produces significant greenhouse gases, including methane. In contrast, carbon butter uses about one thousand times less land and does not release greenhouse gases during production. Because it does not rely on palm oil, it also avoids the deforestation and biodiversity loss linked to palm cultivation. Savor estimates that animal and plant fat production is responsible for about seven percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so switching to lab-made fats could have a major environmental benefit.

Taste and Texture

Despite being made in a lab, carbon butter matches the creamy texture, buttery aroma, and rich flavor of traditional dairy. Food experts say it is almost impossible to tell the difference. It can be used in cooking, baking, and even confectionery, making it just as versatile as regular butter.

Coming to Market

Savor is already partnering with restaurants, bakeries, and food suppliers to test its product. The first product made with carbon butter will be chocolates, set to launch for the 2025 holiday season. The company plans to make the butter available in stores by 2027, allowing time to scale up production and build distribution networks. Kathleen Alexander, co-founder and CEO, says their goal is to bring carbon butter to store shelves around the world in the next few years.