Samples of liquid and solid fractions obtained by a commercial process from anhydrous milk fat of softening point (s.p.) 33-5-34°C had s.p. values of 22-23 °C and 36-38 °C respectively.Determinations of fatty acid composition by GLC showed that unsaturated and short chain fatty acids were present in increased concentration in the liquid fraction (average 37-8 and 12-4% as compared with 35-1 and 10-8% in the original milk fat) and long chain saturated acids in the solid fraction (average 57-8 as compared with 53-8%). There was some concentration of carotene and vitamin A, and to a lesser extent of cholesterol, in the liquid fraction.Crystallization and melting curves determined by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) showed that while the liquid fraction was completely melted at 25 °C, the solid fraction contained an increased proportion of fat melting between 30 and 40 °C. In addition to these high melting triglycerides the solid fraction also contained some 65 % of fat in the liquid phase at the original crystallization temperature of 25 °C.The physical properties of butter and other products consisting mainly of milk fat are dependent on the chemical composition of the fat.