Minerva Dairy, Kishman’s IGA team up for BBQ Butter, celebrating generations of local collaboration

There are a few things you ought to know about Minerva Dairy and Kishman’s IGA.

First, both companies are pillars in the Minerva business community. Second, they are proof of the mutual benefits that companies can accrue through collaboration.

And third, foodies of a feather flock together… oh, and BBQ butter is a thing, and it is delicious.

This is not the first time the two companies have united to show off their synergy and it is not the first time local dairy lovers have benefited. Last November, Kishman’s IGA and Minerva Dairy debuted a limited edition offering of sea salt butter.

But it is only natural for this level of cooperation to exist; after all, Minerva Dairy specializes in small-batch cheese and butter products and Kishman’s IGA strives to provide superior quality groceries, particularly those produced locally. to its clientele.

“The Minerva Dairy and Kishman family relationship started a few generations back,” said owner/operator Venae Watts. “I believe there has always been a relationship since both businesses have been in Minerva.”

And that’s been quite a long time, seeing how the two companies have thrived in Minerva for a combined 200 years.

“My dad Tom had approached Venae about doing something together since Kishman’s was celebrating 70 years in business and Minerva Dairy was celebrating 130 years in business,” said Matt Kishman. “We had set up a meeting and started to think of something we could do to celebrate. We started to talk about butter and maybe we could come up with some special flavored butter to introduce for the month of June.”

Ahhh June. The start of summer. That means schools are out, swimming pools are open… and assorted cheeses, milk, and butter? As a matter of fact, yes because June is National Dairy Month.

“We frequently run specials at Kishman’s IGA and wanted to do something extra for June,” said Watts. “We are both foodie families and it did not take long to start talking about food.”

Hmm. Summertime plus food equals grilling.

“We came up with the idea of a BBQ infused butter,” said Kishman. “We used the BBQ seasoning that we season our pulled pork, brisket, and ribs with. So, with a month of testing how much seasoning to use we finally settled on the right amount.”

The decision reached, the families got in on the act, which was only natural, said Watts.

“We are both family-run businesses and looking to teach and involve our kids just as we were involved in the business growing up” said Watts, who, along with her brother Adam Mueller, is

the fifth generation in her family to run Minerva Dairy. “My daughter Charlize came along just to learn about the process and was excited to include the Kishman kids.”

“My son, my sister Kristin’s son Corwin, Venae’s kids and Adam’s kids all participated in the process,” recalled Kishman. “We all met at the dairy, washed our hands. put on hairnets, coats, and gloves and they took us back to where the big butter churners are.”

The kids put in just the right amount of seasoning, assisted in placing the lid and seal on the churners, and then waited expectantly.

“It was fun watching the large butter churns spin,” said Kishman. “After that, it took a couple days, and the product was packaged and sent to the store.”

The finished product? Just as the relationship between Kishman’s IGA and Minerva Dairy, it’s superb. But perhaps with a slightly smokier flavor.

According to Watts, her favorite foods to partner with the BBQ butter is “everything.”

“Kishman’s is sharing some great ideas and recipes with BBQ butter,” she said. “My favorite is vegetables with the BBQ butter. Give it a toss while cooking. I also really enjoyed corn with the BBQ butter. Sweet corn and butter are great but adding the BBQ butter is delicious. Minerva Ohio’s own version of street corn.”

And for those who claim butter is unhealthy, Kishman strongly disagrees.

“Butter has always gotten a bad rap,” he said. “You see all these imitation butters and oils made to look like butter. They are not good for you, and they simply don’t have that butter taste. Minerva butter is just two ingredients: cream and salt.”

Aside from bottom line for the companies involved in this tasty collaboration, Kishman says there is another winner: the consumer.

“Local residents benefit because this is a locally made product from local dairy farms” he said. “Where else can you get butter from cows within a 15-minute drive from Minerva?”

Sea salt butter and now BBQ butter. Is there another mouth-watering flavor in the pipeline from Minerva Dairy and Kishman’s IGA? Perhaps, but Watts is not about to tip her hand.

“We are in our butter era,” she said. “You never known what fun could be next. Hint, hint.”