what is tallow

Tallow is a rendered form of animal fat, primarily made up of triglycerides. It is usually made from beef or mutton fat, but can come from any animal except pork. The process of rendering involves gently heating suet, which is the hard, white fatty layer that surrounds an animals organs, to separate the fat from any remaining muscle or connective tissue. Tallow has a long history of use in traditional food preparation, as an ingredient and as a cooking oil. It is also used in the production of candles, soaps, and skin products. Tallow has a high protein and energy content and is used in many parts of the world as a source of nutrition. In addition, tallow has a high concentration of vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with natural anti-inflammatory properties, oleic acid (omega 9), palmitic acid, and stearic acid, which have beneficial healing and soothing properties. Tallow has a waxy texture and is solid at room temperature, but becomes liquid when heated. While tallow can be useful for skincare, there are stability issues that prevent it from mainstream commercialization. It does not always have a consistent color, appearance, or odor from batch to batch.