I at all times thought-about myself a little bit of an experimental prepper, testing out completely different strategies, theories, and DIY preservation methods. That’s why, ten years in the past, I rendered down some beef tallow, sealed it up in a jar, and stashed it away. I used to be curious: how lengthy might these items really final? Would it not go rancid in just a few years, or wouldn’t it nonetheless be nearly as good because the day I sealed it?
Quick ahead a decade, and I used to be prepared to seek out out. I went down into my storage space, discovered the jar (nonetheless sealed tight and searching just about precisely prefer it did ten years in the past), and determined to open it up. Right here’s what I discovered from cracking open a jar of beef tallow that’s been sitting for a decade.
The Visible Verify
The very first thing I did was give the jar a radical visible inspection. I’m no stranger to mildew or issues going dangerous, so I knew what I used to be searching for. I’d sealed the tallow in a clear, sterilized glass jar, and the lid had remained intact the complete time—no leaks, no rust, no damaged seal. It might have helped that I stored it within the root cellar I constructed myself.
From the surface, the tallow appeared superb. It nonetheless had that creamy white coloration that I remembered. There was no noticeable discoloration, no separation of unusual liquids, and no signal of mildew. To date, so good.
Once I unscrewed the lid, there was that satisfying pop of a well-maintained seal. I took a second to scent it, as a result of, truthfully, if something was going to provide away its age, it might be the scent.
The Odor Check
Beef tallow has a definite scent; wealthy, slightly meaty, however not overwhelmingly so. I took a whiff, and to my shock, it nonetheless smelled… superb. It wasn’t rancid. There have been no bitter or off-putting notes, nothing that made me recoil. It smelled like beef tallow, identical to the day I sealed it. In the event you’ve ever opened a jar of previous oil that’s gone dangerous, you understand it’s a scent that hits you instantly. This had none of that.
I ought to observe that I saved this jar in a cool, darkish space the complete time; a basement storage closet that stays fairly constant in temperature. Temperature fluctuations may cause fat to go rancid extra shortly, and I’m certain that the regular atmosphere performed a giant position in how nicely it held up.
Texture and Consistency
Subsequent, I used a clear spoon to scoop out a little bit of the tallow. Texture-wise, it was simply as stable as I remembered. It’s essential to notice that beef tallow is sort of steady at room
temperature, and the consistency hasn’t modified in any respect. It was nonetheless clean, a bit waxy, and had no indicators of graininess or separation.
There was no liquid pooling on the high of any laborious crusty layer that typically develops on previous fat. If I hadn’t recognized this jar was ten years previous, I might have simply been fooled into
pondering it was contemporary. I used to be truthfully impressed.
The Style Check
This was the actual take a look at; really tasting the tallow. Now, I’m not one to suggest that anybody simply dive in and eat decade-old preserved meals with out a little warning.
However, after the visible test, the scent take a look at, and the consistency test, I used to be assured sufficient to provide it a attempt.
I made a decision to do a small take a look at by frying up some potatoes in it. I figured that if there have been any off flavors, it might come by within the style. I melted a little bit of the tallow in a cast-iron skillet, and once more, there was no bizarre scent because it heated. It melted down easily, with the identical coloration and texture as contemporary tallow.
Associated: 10 Meals You Ought to Retailer in Lard for a Lengthy Shelf Life
As soon as the potatoes had been achieved, I took a tentative chew. To my shock, they tasted… regular. There was no funky aftertaste, no bitterness, nothing to counsel that the tallow had gone dangerous. It imparted that very same wealthy, savory taste that I’d anticipate from beef tallow. Briefly, it was nonetheless utterly usable.
Why Beef Tallow Lasts So Lengthy
Beef tallow is a type of old-school fat that has quite a lot of endurance. It’s excessive in saturated fats, which makes it much more steady than vegetable oils and even lard. The rendering course of removes impurities, and when correctly saved in a sterilized jar with a very good seal, tallow can final a really very long time.
It’s price noting that tallow was a staple for our ancestors lengthy earlier than refrigeration. That is how they made it to final a extremely very long time. They might use it for cooking, candle-making, and at the same time as a pores and skin balm. Its lengthy shelf life made it invaluable for homesteaders and pioneers who wanted dependable sources of fats that wouldn’t spoil simply.
Elements That Have an effect on Tallow’s Shelf Life
Reflecting on this experiment, I noticed simply how a lot the storage situations mattered. Listed here are just a few key components that I imagine contributed to the tallow’s longevity:
Correct Rendering: Once I initially rendered the tallow, I took care to do it slowly and totally, ensuring to pressure out any bits of meat or impurities. These little bits can spoil over time and trigger the entire batch to go dangerous.- Sterilized Jar and Good Seal: I used a sterilized glass jar and made certain the seal was tight. Any micro organism that will get into the jar may cause spoilage, so conserving all the pieces clear is essential.
- Cool, Darkish Storage: The jar was saved in a cool, darkish place, away from temperature fluctuations and light-weight. Warmth and light-weight are enemies of fats storage, as they will pace up the method of rancidity.
What I Realized
So, what did I be taught from opening a ten-year-old jar of beef tallow? First, I discovered that when correctly rendered and saved, beef tallow is extremely resilient. It’s a testomony to the worth of conventional preservation strategies and the advantages of getting a dependable fats supply in long-term storage.
I additionally discovered the significance of correct method. If I’d been careless when rendering the tallow or sealing the jar, I’m certain the result would have been very completely different. This experiment strengthened the concept that consideration to element could make or break your meals storage efforts.
Lastly, I discovered that having quite a lot of preserved meals, together with fat like tallow, is a great transfer for any prepper. Fat are sometimes neglected in long-term meals storage, however they’re essential for a balanced weight loss plan and supply much-needed energy, particularly in a survival scenario. The truth that this tallow held up so nicely over ten years means it’s one thing I’ll undoubtedly hold in my storage rotation.
Ought to You Retailer Beef Tallow Lengthy-Time period?
In the event you’re contemplating including beef tallow to your long-term storage, I’d say go for it; with some caveats. Be sure to render it correctly, retailer it in sterilized jars, and hold it in a steady atmosphere. In the event you do this, you could be shocked at simply how lengthy it will probably final.
Tallow is flexible. You need to use it for frying, baking, and even making emergency candles for those who’re in a pinch. Plus, not like many fashionable cooking oils, it’s freed from components and stabilizers that may have an effect on its shelf life.
Closing Ideas
Opening that decade-old jar of beef tallow was an interesting expertise. It confirmed me simply how efficient conventional preservation strategies could be when achieved proper. Not solely was the tallow nonetheless good, however it was additionally simply as flavourful and helpful because the day I rendered it utilizing this recipe.
For these of us who wish to be ready, having a dependable supply of fats in our storage is invaluable. This experiment has given me much more confidence in beef tallow as a long-term storage possibility, and I hope it evokes you to provide it a attempt as nicely.
Whether or not you’re an skilled prepper or simply beginning out, beef tallow is unquestionably price contemplating. Simply make sure to render it nicely, retailer it correctly, and benefit from the peace of thoughts that comes with understanding you’ve bought a dependable fats supply that may stand the take a look at of time—even a decade or extra.
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