Our Methodology: How We Select and Rank Ghee Brands
Every brand that appears on gheeisgood.com has been evaluated against the same criteria. This page explains exactly how we select brands for review, what we measure, and what never influences our rankings. Transparency about methodology is the foundation of trustworthy product guidance.
How Brands Are Selected for Review
We review brands that meet a baseline of retail availability and sourcing transparency. A brand must be purchasable by a US consumer — either through Amazon, a direct-to-consumer website, or a national retailer — before it qualifies for a full review. Obscure regional brands or products with no documented supply chain are not reviewed until that information becomes available.
Initial brand selection is driven by:
- Retail presence (Amazon Best Sellers, Whole Foods, Thrive Market, Vitacost)
- Certification status (USDA Organic, Certified Humane, Non-GMO Project, Whole30 Approved)
- Community reputation (South Asian diaspora forums, Paleo and Whole30 communities, Ayurvedic practitioners)
- Sourcing claims (country of origin, grass-fed verification, breed specificity such as A2/A2)
- Reader requests sent through the contact page
Evaluation Criteria
Each brand is assessed across four dimensions. All four dimensions are weighted equally — no single factor overrides the others.
1. Sourcing Transparency
We look for documented answers to: Where do the cows graze? What are they fed? Is the grass-fed claim seasonal or year-round? Is the milk sourced from a single farm or pooled from multiple suppliers? Brands that publish farm names or third-party audits score higher than brands that use vague "pasture-raised" marketing without supporting documentation.
2. Certification Status
Third-party certifications provide independent verification of claims. We check for USDA Organic certification (which covers feed standards and prohibits synthetic pesticides), Whole30 Approved status (which requires no additives), Certified Humane (animal welfare), and A2/A2 breed verification. Self-reported claims without certification are noted but weighted less heavily.
3. Product Quality Indicators
Where possible we assess: clarification completeness (traditional slow-simmer vs. industrial centrifuge methods), color and texture consistency, absence of added flavors or preservatives, and packaging integrity. We note whether the brand publishes a Nutrition Facts panel with accurate moisture content (well-made ghee is 99–100% fat by weight).
4. Value and Price Tier
We assign brands to one of four tiers — Budget, Mid-Range, Premium, or Luxury — based on cost per ounce at standard retail price. Tier placement reflects market position, not a quality judgment. A budget-tier ghee with strong certifications may score higher overall than a luxury-tier ghee with weak sourcing documentation.
What Does NOT Influence Rankings
The following factors have zero influence on how a brand is ranked or described on this site:
- Affiliate commission rates. All affiliate relationships pay similar commission percentages. We do not rank brands based on which affiliate program pays more.
- Advertising relationships. gheeisgood.com does not accept display advertising from ghee brands. There is no pay-to-play placement.
- Brand-sponsored content. We do not accept free product samples in exchange for positive reviews. If a sample is provided for review purposes, it is disclosed and does not guarantee a favorable assessment.
- Brand outreach or PR campaigns. Receiving a press release or pitch does not move a brand up the review queue.
Review Update Cadence
Each brand profile shows a "Last reviewed" date. Reviews are refreshed when:
- A brand changes its sourcing or manufacturing process
- A brand gains or loses a relevant certification
- A product is discontinued or a significant reformulation is announced
- Reader feedback surfaces new information that changes our assessment
- At minimum once every 12 months for actively sold products
Questions about methodology? See our editorial policy for how corrections and updates are handled, or contact us directly.