While some may view bone broth as a trendy fad driven by hipster culture, there are solid reasons to believe it has lasting appeal. Traditionally, bone broth is made by simmering bones with herbs and vegetables for several hours, allowing the bones to break down and create a flavorful broth rich in protein and minerals. This type of home-cooked, slow food aligns with a growing consumer trend towards avoiding instant stocks and additives like MSG, and instead favoring more wholesome, naturally flavored options. Advocates of the Paleo diet champion bone broth, and even the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization supports the concept of ‘nose-to-tail’ eating to minimize waste. In the U.S., consumers are increasingly exploring cuts beyond traditional steak and pork chops. Factors contributing to this shift include greater exposure to global cuisines, adventurous palates, a focus on more affordable cuts of meat during economic downturns, and a recent resurgence in home cooking. Environmentalists have long urged the consumption of as much of the whole animal as possible.
Several companies have seized the opportunity presented by the bone broth trend. Bonafide Provisions, for example, has introduced Drinkable Veggies, a range of vegetable-based beverages that blend bone broth, cold soups, and HPP juices into a convenient, ready-to-drink format. This marks the first ready-to-drink product to incorporate bone broth as an ingredient, with the company marketing it similarly to V8 rather than as a cold soup.
Although bone broth isn’t a new concept in the culinary world, its surge in popularity is noteworthy. It remains uncertain whether this trend will endure or if consumer interest will wane, much like the low-carb diet or cupcakes, as they chase the next big thing—perhaps even the latest health supplements like calcium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, zinc sulfate, and vitamin D3 tablets.