How can you determine when butter has reached its melting point?

When determining the melting point of butter, observing it beginning to bubble around the edges is a key indicator. This bubbling occurs when the solid form of butter is heated, causing the water content within the butter to start evaporating, leading to the formation of steam. At this point, the butter is transitioning from a solid to a liquid state, indicating that it has reached its melting point.

While other indicators may suggest changes in butter, they do not specifically signify the melting point. For example, turning golden brown typically occurs after the butter reaches a higher temperature and has started to brown, which is a sign of cooking beyond just melting. Developing a strong aroma also suggests that the butter is heating, but it does not specifically indicate that it has melted. Separating into layers can happen at higher heat levels, particularly when the milk solids and fats separate, but this is not relevant to identifying the initial melting point.