Ghee has been part of Surya’s life for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she spent hours in the kitchen alongside her mother, who is from India. As a writer and professor at MSU, Surya often found the solitary nature of writing balanced by the grounding rhythm of cooking. 
Later, when Surya ran into health challenges, she began paying close attention to what she was putting into her body. She leaned on Indian food for comfort and nourishment, and in the process, ghee became her go-to cooking fat. Unlike other oils that burn or oxidize at high heat, ghee remained stable, flavorful, and deeply connected to her heritage.

When Surya Introduced Morgan to Ghee

When Surya introduced Morgan to ghee, it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with it too. Morgan — an entrepreneur and founder ofCudaway Knives— was fascinated by the process, the flavor, and the tradition behind it. As they began cooking together, he nicknamed her the “Empress of Ghee.” 

Morgan called Surya up with an idea:Want to sell your ghee at the farmers market?With no branding, no fancy labels, and jars sourced wherever they could find them, they showed up simply with their product.

The response was overwhelming. Customers loved it. Indian women stopped by to tell Surya it “passed the sniff test,” confirming the ghee was authentic. One of their very first customers still visits their booth today. 

The two are not only business partners but also life partners — they got engaged this past summer — and they’re true go-getters, always looking for new ways to share ghee and its rich history with Montana and beyond.

What Makes Ghee So Special 

So what exactly is ghee — and why does it matter? Ghee is butter that has been slowly simmered until the milk solids caramelize and are removed, leaving behind a golden, nutty, clarified fat. This extra step makes Empress of Ghee different from many mass-produced brands, which often skip caramelization to save time. By letting the milk solids brown before straining, Surya and Morgan create ghee that’s deeply flavorful, low in lactose, whey, and casein — and true to tradition.

Nutritionally, ghee is in a category of its own. It’s considered aheart-healthy superfood, naturally rich in vitaminsA, K, and E, as well asomega fatty acidsthat support digestion, brain health, and immunity. With a smoke point of485°F, it’s one of the most stable and versatile cooking fats available — perfect for sautéing, roasting, frying, or simply spreading on warm bread — without the risk of oxidizing like olive oil or burning like butter.

Made in small batches in Livingston from100% grass-fed New Zealand butter, Empress of Ghee offers all the flavor and health benefits of an ancient staple in its purest form.

In India, ghee is as common on the table as salt and pepper. It’s comfort food, health food, and heritage all in one. As Surya puts it:“It’s the highest quality cooking fat you can find, rooted in ancient traditions.”

Community at the Heart     

While the product speaks for itself, Surya and Morgan will tell you that Empress of Ghee is about more than what’s in the jar. It’s about the community that has embraced them from day one.
When they needed branding, Surya connected with Skylar, a local artist she discovered on Instagram. Skylar immediately understood their vision and created the elegant, heritage-inspired design that now defines Empress of Ghee. And in a full-circle moment during our interview at the Co-op, Skylar happened to walk by — a reminder of just how connected this community really is. That collaboration, and chance encounters like this, are just one example of how Bozeman has supported their journey.

“Starting a business is so much more than building a product,”Morgan reflects.“It’s building a community.”

Today, Empress of Ghee can be found in local shops across Bozeman, Livingston, Three Forks, and soon Big Sky. For Surya, seeing their jars on Co-op shelves is a moment of pride:“When I shop at the Co-op, I know I’m getting quality. To see our ghee there, alongside products I trust, feels really special.”

As for what’s next? Morgan says simply:“We just want as many people as possible to know what ghee is — and to try it.”

For both Surya and Morgan, Empress of Ghee is about honoring tradition while bringing it into today’s kitchens — sharing something deeply nourishing for the body, for the table, and for the community.