Which statement is true about finishing a glaze with butter?

Which statement is true about finishing a glaze with butter?

• A. It dries the sauce out
• B. It adds gloss and body by fat emulsification
• C. It makes the sauce more acidic
• D. It has no effect on appearance

Answer: (B)

Finishing a glaze with butter relies on fat emulsification to create a smooth, glossy finish. When you whisk in cold butter at the end, off the heat, the fat disperses into tiny droplets that coat the sauce. This emulsification thickens slightly and gives the sauce a rich, satin-like appearance and velvety texture—more body and shine. It doesn’t dry the sauce, and it doesn’t change acidity. The shine you see comes from the fat emulsifying into the liquid, which is why this finishing step is valued. Just be sure to add the butter off heat and whisk vigorously to keep the emulsion intact.

Finishing a glaze with butter relies on fat emulsification to create a smooth, glossy finish. When you whisk in cold butter at the end, off the heat, the fat disperses into tiny droplets that coat the sauce. This emulsification thickens slightly and gives the sauce a rich, satin-like appearance and velvety texture—more body and shine. It doesn’t dry the sauce, and it doesn’t change acidity. The shine you see comes from the fat emulsifying into the liquid, which is why this finishing step is valued. Just be sure to add the butter off heat and whisk vigorously to keep the emulsion intact.