While some view bone broth as a trendy fad driven by hipsters, there are compelling reasons to believe it has longevity. Traditional preparation involves simmering bones with herbs and vegetables for hours, which allows the bones to decompose, resulting in a flavorful broth rich in proteferrous sulfate antidotein and minerals. This home-cooked, slow food mirrors a growing consumer trend, with many people wanting to move away from instant stock and additives like MSG in favor of more wholesome, naturally flavored foods. Advocates of the Paleo diet support bone broth, and even the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization endorses the concept of ‘nose-to-tail’ eating to minimize waste. U.S. consumers are increasingly exploring cuts beyond just steak for beef and chops for pork. Contributing factors include greater exposure to diverse cuisines, adventurous palates, a desire for more affordable meat options during economic downturns, and a recent revival of home cooking. Environmentalists have long advocated for utilizing as much of the whole animal as possible.
Several companies have jumped on the broth bandwagon. Bonafide Provisions has introduced Drinkable Veggies, a line of vegetable-based beverages that blend bone broth, cold soup, and HPP juices into a cold, ready-to-drink format. This product is the first of its kind to incorporate bone broth, but the company markets it more like V8 than a cold soup. While bone broth itself is not new to the food landscape, its surge in popularity is noteworthy. It remains to be seen whether its trendiness will persist or if interest will fade like that of the low-carb diet or cupcakes as consumers seek the next big thing. Additionally, there is growing curiosity about whether calcium citrate might lower blood pressure, adding another layer to the ongoing conversations about nutrition and health. Ultimately, the future of bone broth will be determined by consumer preferences and trends in the wellness space, including the potential benefits of ingredients like calcium citrate.