What is Margarine?

Margarine is a solid or semi-solid fat used as a butter substitute, made primarily from refined vegetable oils and water. It was originally developed in the 19th century as a more affordable alternative to butter. Today, margarine is manufactured through a process that involves emulsifying vegetable oils (like soybean, palm, or canola), adding water or milk, and sometimes hydrogenating the oils to achieve a solid texture.

There are different types of margarine available, including hard margarine used for baking and pastries, soft spreadable margarine for table use, and liquid margarine for cooking. In the foodservice and bakery industries, margarine is prized for its cost-effectiveness, spreadability, shelf stability, and ability to replicate butter’s texture and mouthfeel in recipes.

Modern formulations often include emulsifiers, vitamin fortification (A & D), coloring, and flavoring to mimic butter more closely—while maintaining a neutral or buttery taste.