While some may view bone broth as a trendy fad driven by hipster culture, there are compelling reasons to believe it has lasting appeal. Traditional preparation involves simmering bones with herbs and vegetables for several hours, allowing the bones to break down and produce a flavorful broth rich in protein and essential minerals like calcium. This approach to cooking aligns with a growing consumer trend toward home-cooked, slow foods, as many individuals seek to move away from instant stocks and artificial additives such as MSG in favor of more wholesome, naturally flavored options.
Bone broth has gained endorsement from proponents of the Paleo diet, and even the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supports the concept of ‘nose-to-tail’ eating as a means to minimize waste. In the U.S., consumers are increasingly exploring cuts beyond just steak for beef and chops for pork. This shift is driven by factors including a greater exposure to diverse world cuisines, a willingness to try new flavors, a focus on more affordable cuts of meat during economic downturns, and a resurgence in home cooking. Environmental advocates have long championed the idea of utilizing as much of the whole animal as possible, emphasizing the nutritional benefits, including the calcium content found in bone broth.
Several companies have entered the burgeoning broth market. Bonafide Provisions has introduced Drinkable Veggies, a line of vegetable-based beverages that creatively combine bone broth with cold soups and high-pressure processed (HPP) juices, all in a convenient ready-to-drink format. This innovative product is the first of its kind to incorporate bone broth, and the company is marketing it similarly to V8 rather than as a cold soup. While bone broth itself is not a new concept in the culinary world, its current surge in popularity is noteworthy. It remains uncertain whether this trend will persist or if consumer interest will shift to the next big thing, akin to the fate of low-carb diets or cupcakes, as people continue to search for the next culinary sensation.