Why We're Different
Bone broth is exploding. And not a moment too soon. With so much information finally making its way into the mainstream consciousness on how good it is for joint and gut health, there is no shortage of options on where to buy bone broth. From grocery stores that carry the dehydrated kind, to big-box stores that carry big names with big labels, why choose Kitchen Table Cultures and our local operation? The answer is in the question - local. Everything we do, everything we use - from our ingredients (local farms and ranches) to our sales method (local farmer's markets) to how we invest (banking locally) - is all meant to be within our community.
WATER
For us, it all begins with the water and we believe our water is exceptional. Stewarded to us by RAINGE, Adobe Springs is a mineral-rich spring water source located high up and deep in the Diablo Mountain Range just southeast of Livermore. Rich in magnesium and with a high alkalinity, this pristine water serves as the foundation of all our bone broths.
BEEF
Our beef bones come from grass-fed, grass-finished cows, raised on pastures rich with living soil. We work with local ranchers like Corral de Tierra and Lonely Bull, both of Monterey County, and Morris Grassfed and Paicines Ranch, both of San Benito County, and all of whom are committed to regenerative practices, including holistically planned grazing. Cooked low and slow for 48-hours, our recipe is simple - only raw, organic apple cider vinegar is added to the bones and water, just enough to draw out minerals and break down proteins and connective tissues. The result is a beef bone broth that's rich, gelatinous, and full of collagen and healing amino acids. It's excellent sipped straight or used as a base for a hearty soup or stew.
Our beef tallow is naturally rendered, the direct result of making beef bone broth. This means grass-fed, grass-finished tallow, perfect for use in cooking. With a smoke point of 420° F, it's ideal for searing steaks, adding both fat and flavor. Rich in linoleic acid, meaning naturally anti-inflammatory, beef tallow is also high in Vitamins A and D. Another great use for beef tallow is in skincare products. The fats are bio-available, easily absorbed into the skin, making it perfect for deodorants and lotions. Or make your own tallow soap!
CHICKEN
Our chicken bones come from organic-fed, pasture-raised poultry that happily feast on bugs and worms in the open air and sunshine. We work with local farms like Twisted A Farm in Prunedale and Fogline Farm of Soquel. Slow-cooked for 24-hours, with simple ingredients just like our beef bone broth, the resulting chicken bone broth is rich in collagen, deeply nourishing, and helps boost immunity.
BEET KVASS
Beet Kvass is a traditional Eastern European beverage that traces back a very long time (the original was made with bread). It's deliciously tart, lightly salted, a little bit bubbly, and rather earthy -- a probiotic that's the result of fermentation thanks to the gut-friendly Lactobacillus bacteria. Our kvass is activated with enzymatic rich whey for a lively and nourishing brew. Drink it straight or use it like a vinegar.
Beet kvass comes with a whole host of health benefits. In addition to probiotics, it's also a rich source of polyphenols and nitrates, the latter of which the body converts into nitric oxide - great for cardiovascular health. A good many athletes consume beet kvass for a reason. It's also used to cleanse the liver and purify the blood.
Heads-up though, beet kvass continues to ferment as it ages. Store it in the fridge to slow down the fermentation process and even better, transfer it into a glass bottle with a flip top lid and you'll keep it fresher for longer.
GLASS
Just as the water matters, so does the packaging. We use only glass mason jars. Our hot broth goes from the pot directly into glass, never touching plastic in the process. We believe that glass is the best for safe food storage - it's strong, sturdy, and doesn't release chemicals or toxins into the broth; and that it's reusable is even better! We offer a deposit program to encourage the re-use of these glass jars. (Only fully-intact, reusable jars can be returned for deposit. Please thoroughly wash them before bringing them to our booth at any of these farmer's markets. Keep the bands on to help prevent any chipping or breakage. The lids can be recycled!)
A NOTE ON FREEZING YOUR BONE BROTH --
KTC uses straight-sided glass mason jars, which are also known as freezer jars. After purchase, you are welcome to either refrigerate or freeze your bone broth in its original mason jar; however, if you should choose to freeze your broth, we strongly encourage that you "make some room" by removing some or all of the schmaltz (chicken fat) or tallow (beef fat) in order for the bone broth beneath to expand upward as it freezes. Failure to "make some room" may result in jar breakage. Use the fat separately or freeze it as well.
FOOD WITH YOUR FARMER'S FACE
We believe that it's important for everyone to know where their food comes from, how it was raised or grown, how it is prepared and packaged, and who are the people who steward the entire process. We know our ranchers, we know our farmers, we know where our water comes from, and this accountability is crucial. Want to know where your KTC bone broth is from? Check out this page.
