Tallow is an animal fat traditionally obtained by rendering the fatty parts of horses, sheep, and especially cattle, so much so that it is often referred to as “beef tallow.”

It can be made from any type of fat, whether subcutaneous or visceral, but is usually produced from internal deposits such as the fat surrounding the heart and kidneys of cattle. The process involves heat treatment, filtration, and straining of various fat trimmings. The pieces are cut into small chunks and gently heated until they melt, which also allows the small amount of water present to evaporate. The liquid fat is then filtered to remove any remaining meaty or fibrous fragments, which are often pressed to extract even more fat. The quality of tallow depends on the type of animal, the part of the body from which the fat comes, and the rendering method used.

You can also make it at home: just ask your butcher for beef fat (he usually gives it away). Once rendered, you’ll be left with crispy bits and they are absolutely delicious!

There was a time when we did not have synthetic products. People used animal fats to make many things.

Candles: Beef tallow has been used for centuries to make candles. Its slow-burning properties make it a sustainable and economical option. How to make tallow candles Melt beef tallow and mix it with a small amount of beeswax (optional for more consistency). Pour the mixture into molds or jars, inserting a wick. Let it cool and harden. Light your homemade, eco-friendly candles! Tallow candles burn cleanly, producing less soot than kerosene candles.

For leather and wood: Beef tallow is a natural conditioner for leather and wood, helping to restore and protect these materials. Rub a small amount of tallow on leather shoes, belts or bags to soften them and make them waterproof. Polish with a clean cloth for a shiny finish. Mix tallow with beeswax to create a natural wood polish. Apply it to wooden furniture or cutting boards to restore shine and prevent cracks.

Lubricant for tools and machinery: Before modern industrial lubricants, beef tallow was widely used to reduce friction and protect metal surfaces. Use tallow for:
- lubricate door hinges and locks
- Protect tools from rust and wear and tear
- Greasing metal parts in low-speed machinery

Pet care: Beef tallow is safe for pets and can be used for:
Soften paws: apply a small amount to your dog's paw pads to prevent cracking, especially in winter.
Addition to diet: mix tallow into your pet's food for healthy fat intake (consult your veterinarian first).

DIY fire starter: Tallow is an excellent fire starter because of its prolonged burning. To make one: soak cotton balls or small pieces of cloth in melted tallow. Let them cool and harden. Use them as lightweight, portable firelighters for camping or emergencies.

Natural shoe polish: Beef tallow can breathe life back into dull leather shoes. Rub a small amount on leather, let it penetrate and polish for a shiny finish.

Absolutely. There are several lines of natural tallow cosmetics in America. It seems to be excellently tolerated by sensitive skin. On the other hand, what do you think we have been using for millions of years?

Ghi is made by clarifying butter, that is, by slowly cooking it at a low temperature until protein, water and lactose are removed. What remains is pure fat, with a smoke point of 250°C, due to the presence of as much as 70% saturated fat.

Tallow, on the other hand, is obtained by cooking beef fat at a low temperature. Again, the product obtained is pure fat, with a slightly lower smoke point, 230°C, because it contains less saturated fat, only 50%.

Both contain omega 3 and vitamins A, D, E, K.
Ghi has a milder flavor, tallow a stronger one.
Both contain very little omega-6.

Fun fact: Before the advent of vegetable oils, tallow or lard was used for frying, depending on the animals most available in the geographic area. Until 1990 McDonald's fried its fries in a mixture of 93% tallow and 7% canola oil.