You mention bone broth in a crowded room of friends. It’s followed by silence. And then a whole spectrum of views are thrown at you. Some are utterly irked by the idea of it and others would smile gleefully if you offer them a hot mug of it. I’m apart of the latter group.

2 words describe my reasoning:

• nutrients
• ease

Bone broth is to health as windscreen wipers are to a car. Not necessary to drive, but it sure does make it easier. In the worst of weathers you certainly don’t want to be without a pair of working wipers. Likewise with bone broth.

Traditionally bone broth has been eaten for thousands of years. It has managed to trickle out of our western diet and was replaced with clean, lean, prettier looking meats. Away with the bones, and away with a vast array of nutrients our  bodies thrive on.

17 different amino acids and an abundance of minerals are found in bones. To name just three: collagen, gelatine and glycosaminoglycans. Bone broth contains all of these, and with them, the wonder of the health benefits they bring. These include skin health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, muscle health and improved physical performance, as well as improvements in gut health, digestion, immune function, brain function,  sleep and mood. I wouldn’t be surprised if Superman wore a hip flask filled to the brim with this superfood and glugged it down daily.

The second reason I absolutely love bone broth is that it’s so easy to make. The prep is about 5-10 mins of roughly chopping a few basic vegetables and herbs, adding apple cider vinegar and water and then it’s a blissful low simmer for 8-16 hours depending on the bones. Wake up in the morning to a delicious smell, all it’s done.

You can find a good recipe from the Weston A. Price Foundation website.

If you’d like to buy it, our local brands do a fantastic job.

Durban locals can find Dr Bone Broth easily – check out their website here. I recently went to the chefs’ restaurant, 9th Avenue Bistro, and was even able to order a delicious mug of their beef broth with dinner. Normally it’s only for sale for home use. Apparently I was the first to request it, and it took some time to figure out if it was possible, but they made it happen.Their broth uses organic, hormone-free animal bones, local vegetables and tastes delicious. It’s smooth, comforting and pleasantly tasty, without any overload of meat flavour.

If you’re in Cape Town or Jo’burg, Farmer Angus supplies local stores, you can find their suppliers here.

With all of that said, I hope you’re frothing for bone broth(ing)!