Jean-Yves Bordier, a third generation artisanal butter maker from Brittany reminds us, “Pretty things are important in life.” Balance, harmony and beauty guide his every step. Aesthetics matter, even in butter.
I love the little book, A Bunch Of Pretty Things I Did Not Buy. My favorite line- “They might be fair trade, organic, leg warmers, but if your legs aren’t cold, it’s still a frivolous purchase.” But we don’t always need to be so hardboiled. Whether indulging a want or satisfying a need, a pretty thing matters.
Wants are often beautiful. Exclusive, exotic, and expensive can be alluring, making wants nearly irresistible. But necessaries can be beautiful too. Filling a need is the path toward beauty. Enduring, not fleeting beauty. Gratifying, not regrettable beauty. The ordinary can be magnificent.
I’m not much of a butter fan. Land O’Lakes seemed adequate. But after watching this piece on Jean-Yves, I immediately searched for where to buy his butter in the US. Apparently, nowhere- alas, “would” rather than “did” in the title. Even in NY or SF, Le Beurre Bordier doesn’t seem to be available. A trip to France anytime soon seems unlikely, but if/when, I plan to put my butter ambivalence to the test.
If you want to spend 15 minutes on something that charms rather than irritates, take a look at this. Magnifique!
https://kottke.org/20/10/how-artisanal-french-butter-is-made