The Power of Tallow

Our Tallow Source
Tallow is the shining star at FAT COW! We proudly source our suet and beef fat from local regenerative farms that prioritize grazing their cattle on diverse pastures. By allowing cattle to graze on a variety of plants throughout their lives, they accumulate an abundance of plant nutrients—vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more—that are stored in their fat. This rich nutrient profile is what gives our tallow its incredible skin-healing, nourishing fatty acids, antioxidants, and moisturizing abilities.

This is why grass-fed AND grass-finished cattle create superior quality fat, in my opinion as a cattle rancher with over 16 years of experience in grazing cattle on grass and forage. While the term is called "grass-fed" and "grass-finished," it goes way beyond cattle grazing just grasses. There is way more out there than just grasses in a healthy functioning grassland ecosystem! There are forbs, herbs, flowers, shrubs, trees and, of course, grasses. Every plant has its own set of nutrients that it specializes in pulling from the soil. Cattle innately know how to balance their diet with these plants as medicine. This brings health, resilience, and robustness to the cattle which translates directly to their meat, milk, and FAT!

At FAT COW, we love seeing our cows looking plump and happy! Not overweight, but with a nice, healthy roundness that shows they're well-fed and thriving. Here's to the wonderful world of grass-fed, grass-finished cattle!


In-House Rendering
In addition to everything else we do, I personally render all the suet and fat into beautiful tallow, right here in-house! By doing it myself, I ensure that the tallow used in my soap retains all those amazing skin-loving properties. Although tallow is also fantastic for cooking due to its nutrients and high smoke point, I make sure it’s not over-rendered at high temperatures for too long. This careful rendering process helps preserve the tallow's beneficial fatty acid profile, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it highly nourishing and moisturizing for the skin.

Rendering the tallow myself takes days, but it’s worth every moment. While the process can be messy and greasy, I’ve learned to slow down and enjoy this age-old tradition. It connects me to my ancestral roots and allows me to be thoughtful and mindful, paying respect and gratitude to the animals that provide this precious resource.

It’s a beautiful cycle we’re part of, and I hope everyone who uses our soap takes a moment to appreciate the alchemy of turning fat and lye into something as wonderful as soap. This mindful approach not only preserves the integrity of the tallow but also honors the animals and the land from which they come.


Age-Old Traditions of Tallow in Skincare
Using animal fats like tallow in skincare is a time-honored tradition that's been valued for centuries. Across the globe, from ancient Native cultures and ancestral communities to Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans, our ancestors understood the incredible value of animal fats for both nourishment and skincare.
Fast forward to the 19th and 20th centuries, when synthesized and petroleum-based products entered the scene, tallow began to be overshadowed. However, this humble ingredient is a powerhouse and making a come back! Tallow is packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with fatty acids that closely mimic the natural oils our skin produces. This makes tallow highly effective at hydrating and healing without clogging pores.

For our ancestors, fat was sacred and seen as the essence of life, providing sustenance and health. By utilizing every part of the animal, including the fat, they honored the animal's life and appreciated its role in maintaining vitality. Today, we know that tallow supports a healthy skin microbiome by providing essential nutrients that beneficial skin bacteria thrive on. This helps keep our skin balanced and resilient.

By embracing this ancient practice, we're not just caring for our skin, but also reconnecting with a time-honored tradition that respects nature and life itself. So let's celebrate tallow for the incredible gift it is, passed down through generations.