Have you ever wondered where that white fat placed out for the birds in the dead of winter originated? Commonly known as “suet” this remarkable substance comes from cattle and is in great demand as a highly prized ingredient often referred to as beef tallow.
The firm white fat around a harvested cow’s internal organs is collected and chopped finely, then simmered at low heat. The fat melts and separates from impurities, rendering a pure creamy white liquid, packed with nutrients. Tallow is solid at room temperature, and can be scooped in a similar way to lard or butter.
Traditionally, tallow was used in the kitchen for biscuits, pastries, cookies, doughnuts, as well as suet pudding, candles, and even as a high quality lubricant. Known for its delectable flavor and high smoke point, the famous MacDonald’s French fry was cooked in beef tallow from 1930 until 1990, when a well-funded advertising campaign convinced the franchise giant to make the switch to highly processed plant-based oils, which are more commonly used in today’s kitchens.
The development of oxidation in low smoke point plant-based oils, especially when heated to high temperatures, has been linked as a trigger for chronic illness, immune disorders, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. Due to its smoke point of 420-480 degrees Fahrenheit, tallow does not break down so quickly. Tallow is considered by many to be a healthier alternative for searing, roasting, and frying at high temperatures.
Full of vitamins A, D, E and K, with a high percentage of stearic acid and conjugated linoleic acid, tallow is a power house punch of healthy nutrients. Diets that include grass-fed beef tallow are purported to improve cholesterol levels, decrease insulin resistance, lower inflammation, while simultaneously increasing immune boosting and fat-burning capabilities. Try it as a replacement for butter in your baking and savor the remarkable flavor with the delicate flaky texture for which tallow is known!
More than just something to cook with, grass-fed beef tallow is also a coveted ingredient for body creams, balms, soaps, cosmetics, and even candles. The vitamin and fatty acid profile of tallow closely resembles the sebum of human skin, making it a superior ingredient to lock in moisture, soothe irritation and provide nourishing protection to keep our skin soft and smooth. Skin salves, soaps and balms made with beef tallow have been known to reduce symptoms of conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Tallow isn’t just for the birds, rather, it’s an under-utilized ingredient, readily available, economically viable, providing its users with health benefits for the whole body. Ask a local butcher for beef tallow, either to render at home, or ready to use. You can find products such as soap or salve containing beef tallow to put on your body at local shops or online from local Canadian retailers specializing in products created using grass-fed beef tallow from BC beef. If you haven’t tried beef tallow, yet, what are you waiting for?
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