When it comes to animal fat, you could be forgiven for automatically assuming that it is negative for your health. For a long time, nutritionists would agree with you.
However, animal fat is beginning to see a resurgence in popularity. Many use it in place of oil for cooking and frying. It can also be used for flavouring and food preservation.
In this blog, we will myth-bust the attributes of animal health and explore why it is superior when it comes to cooking.
How Animal Fat Got a Bad Reputation (And Why the Science Has Moved on)
Animal fat's negative reputation has roots in the 1950s and 1960s. Physiologist Ancel Keys proposed that saturated fat caused increased arterial plaques, raising blood cholesterol. This was backed by a study on seven countries, which proposed a link between animal fat intake and heart disease. Consequently, the US's official 1980s dietary guidelines advised cutting out lard, butter and tallow.
In recent years, the picture of animal fats has changed. This is partly due to the re-examination of older data, where the studies only showed a weak link between animal fats and heart disease. Some studies even showed the opposite. Subsequently, more recent studies have shown no causal link between saturated animal fat and cardiovascular issues.
Nowadays, nutritionists accept that the health benefits and drawbacks of saturated fat are complex. The impact of saturated fat is thought to depend on its source, with animal fats being judged independently from processed trans fats. Consequently, it is now widely acknowledged that animal fats are a fantastic source of fat-soluble vitamins, specifically A, D, E, and K2. This can boost immune function and hormone health.
What's Actually in Organic Beef Dripping?
By choosing organic beef dripping, you can relax knowing it is of the highest possible quality.
Beef dripping is made of 100% rendered fat from cows. This is created by slowly melting fatty trimmings and the kidney fat known as suet. The dripping is then strained to remove any leftover solids. This results in a golden liquid that, when cooled, sets into a spreadable fat.
By opting for organic beef fat, you know that your dripping is sourced from grass-fed free-range cattle that have lived their lives without synthetic chemicals, antibiotics or genetically modified feed.
The result is beef dripping with a rich buttery flavour that is packed with healthy fats, vitamins, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Omega-3.
The High Smoke Point Advantage: Why it Beats Most Cooking Oils
When it comes to cooking and frying, animal fats like lard, beef tallow and duck fat have the upper hand. This is because they have a high smoke point and thermal stability. Since they are saturated fats, they break down slowly while maintaining their nutritional benefits at high temperatures.
They aren't just nutritious; animal fats have a rich flavour that enhances your food. This is something that vegetable or polyunsaturated oils cannot provide.
Many people swear by beef tallow for searing and deep frying as it is stable at up to 400°C.
Why Grass-Fed, Organic Dripping is in a Different League
When it comes to beef dripping, the higher the quality of the meat, the better the animal fat will be.
Dripping from grass-fed cows boasts:
- Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
- More fat-soluble vitamins E, K and A, which are antioxidants that are good for bone and skin health.
- Increased CLA, which is thought to help fight cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
- More calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- Up to 30% more Oleic acid, a 'heart-healthy' fat that is believed to be immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory.
We Sell High-Quality Animal Fats
Eversfield Organic offers a range of free-range, organic and high-quality beef, chicken, pork and lamb fat sourced from our premium grass-fed cattle. Browse our range and discover the finest organic animal fats for your kitchen today.
