Why Sticks of Butter Are Different Sizes in Different Parts of the United States

American Public Media economics program Marketplace tackles a reader question regarding the size differences between sticks of butter across the United States, which tend to be long and skinny in the east and short and thick in the west. The answer is a somewhat complex one.

Because the butter industry started so much earlier in the east than it did in the West, “the size of the cube you see is a result of newer equipment purchased at the time to package the butter,” [dairy researcher John] Bruhn says.

image via Marketplace

via Marketplace