Food & Receipts

Is Bone Broth Bad For You? Clear, Flavourful Broth Without The MSG

With the bone broth recipe below, you will have a clear, flavorful bone soup that everyone will love when enjoying.

1 March, 2024

182

Is Foam in Bone Broth Harmful?

Bone broth is a popular dish in this country. Animal bones contain a large amount of minerals, 17 different amino acids, collagen, and gelatin. Although the nutritional content varies depending on the type of bone, cooking time, and method, they are all packed with nutrients beneficial to our health.

When simmering bones, you may notice some white foam rising to the top. This is excess blood, and it is not harmful to your health. However, for hygiene purposes and to make the dish more aesthetically pleasing, it is recommended to skim and discard this foam.

How to Make Clear Bone Broth Without the Foam

One method to help you achieve clear bone broth is as follows:

After purchasing the bones, rinse them thoroughly and soak them in water for 30 minutes. This step ensures that all the marrow is released from the bones. The main reason for doing this is that the red marrow will turn cloudy when cooked, causing the broth to become murky, the bones to darken, and an unpleasant odor to develop. By removing this component entirely, your bone broth will be much clearer.

Next, after soaking, place the bones in cold water and bring it to a boil. Give it a quick stir, and then remove the bones and rinse them. When you place the bones in boiling water, the bones and any impurities will immediately contract due to the heat, preventing many of the impurities in the marrow from being released and rising to the surface.

Boil the pot of bone broth vigorously and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. During this process, do not cover the pot as this will cause the broth to become cloudy. Keep the heat low to allow the bones to slowly release their sweet flavor, and remember to skim the foam to ensure a clear broth.

What to Do If Your Broth Turns Cloudy

– Use a cloth or a fine-mesh strainer to filter the broth, removing any sediment, and then bring it to a boil again.

– Take one egg white, whisk it, and add it to the broth. Stir well, allowing the foam to bind to the egg white, and then skim it off. Your broth will be clear again.

Frequently asked questions

No, the white foam that rises to the top when simmering bones is excess blood and is not harmful to your health. However, for hygiene and aesthetic purposes, it is recommended to skim and discard it.

The foam is caused by impurities and the release of marrow from the bones. To achieve a clear broth, thoroughly rinse and soak the bones before boiling, and then follow the cooking instructions provided. This will remove much of the marrow, preventing it from turning cloudy and keeping your broth clear.

If your broth becomes cloudy, you can filter it using a cloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove any sediment. Alternatively, you can whisk an egg white and add it to the broth, allowing it to bind to the foam, and then skim it off. Your broth will be clear again.