Thread: Tallowed

What does that mean?

Rendered from beef or mutton fat..........

Originally Posted by alschepis

What does that mean?

Watch out for stearates that may not actually be from tallow.

Tallow is normally derived by rendering the fat of cattle or sheep as a bi-product of beef and mutton production. It is a source of fatty acids that can be used for a variety of applications, including soap manufacture.

Tallow contains a variety of fatty acids, but the ones most prominent are oleic acid, a monosaturated fatty acid also found in olive oil, and the saturated fats palmitic acid and stearic acid, As you might suspect from the name, palmitic acid is also present in palm oil and palm kernel oil. Stearic acid is more common in animal fats than in vegetable fats, but it is found in high concentrations in cocoa butter and shea butter. You can find these two butters used in some shaving soaps.

The ingredient listing of some soaps indicate the source of the fatty acids: tallow, shea butter, palm oil, etc. Other soaps list the fatty acids: stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, etc. Either method satisfies the regulations for labeling.

Thanks for the info