Domestic lard application. How to melt pork fat? Wrinkle oil

There are different opinions about pork fat: some argue that it is useful, others, on the contrary, spit from it in every possible way.

Pork fat harm

Studies of the hydrolysis of pork fat and the degree of its assimilation by the human body have shown that the utilization of pork fat presents difficulties for the body. Pork fat does not undergo hydrolysis and is deposited in human adipose tissue as pork fat. For the processing of pork fat, the human body begins to use glucose, which was intended for the activity of the brain, and this leads to a feeling of chronic hunger.

Thus, a closed situation is obtained when there are sufficient reserves of fat, but a person constantly chews something, without experiencing saturation.

A hazard to human health can occur when pork meat is poisoned with mycotoxins - waste products and decay of fungi.

Mycotoxins cause carcinogenic, mutogenic, immunosuppressive, cytotoxic effects.

The fungal poison ochratoxin is especially dangerous in pork. After slaughtering a pig, it is concentrated in adipose tissue, as well as in muscles, liver, kidneys and blood.

The benefits of pork fat

Pork fat differs from vegetable and butter oils in lower thermal conductivity, as well as in the presence of other organic substances in it, which limit the use of pork fat in dietary nutrition.

However, pork fat belongs to edible animal fats and is the most common of them.

Pork fat contains up to 0.15 mg of vitamin A and provitamin A, linoleic acid, which the body needs. And the amount of cholesterol in it is not large - from 50 to 80 mg.

It is widely used for external use (as a base for ointments) and internally for medicinal purposes.

Pork fat is used to treat colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, dermatitis, eczema, ulcers, exhaustion, burns, ear pain, etc.

Pork fat properties

Pork fat is a mixture of triglycerides of acids - stearic, palmitic, linoleic and oleic. Virtually odorless white mass.

Arachidonic acid, found in pork fat, is an unsaturated fatty acid and is an integral part of the heart muscle enzyme. It is also a part of all cell membranes of the body and is directly involved in the formation of many hormones and in the metabolism of cholesterol.

There is much more essential fatty acids in pork fat than in many solid fats and in butter.

The biological activity of pork fat is five times higher than that of beef fat or the same butter.

If when heating vegetable oils, lamb and beef fat, their quality deteriorates, then the quality of pork fat does not change when heated.

On pork fat, medicinal ointments are prepared, which do not irritate the skin, are well absorbed by it and are easily washed off with soapy water.

Pork fat is easily mixed with other fats, resins, waxes and fatty acids.

Solid pork fat is not suitable for the manufacture of ointments with oxidizing agents, since it itself is capable of oxidation. It reacts well with alkaline substances, zinc, bismuth, copper, heavy metal salts - this is how soaps are formed.

Pork fat, under the influence of heat, light and air, acquires an unpleasant pungent odor - it turns rancid. Rancid pork fat is acidic and irritating.

A good quality fat should be transparent or slightly amber in color in a liquid state. When frozen, it is white and free of precipitation.

You can store pork fat in the refrigerator for up to 18 months.

Application of pork fat

In case of joint pain - lubricate the joints with pork fat at night, put on top of thick paper for compresses, wrap it in a warm scarf and keep it that way all night.

If the mobility of the joint is impaired after an injury, mix 100 grams of pork fat with one tablespoon of salt and rub the resulting mixture into the joint area, then apply a warming bandage upward.

The recipe for burns - half a liter of pork fat must be melted and one onion must be fried in it until black, cooled a little. Crush 5 tablets of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to a powder, stir with the fat. All the time, lubricate the burn surface with this ointment, preventing it from drying out, lubricate again and again. No bandages are required. Aspirin lowers the internal heat and kills germs, and pork fat prevents scars and scars from forming - if you constantly lubricate the burn, just about two weeks later new skin will appear, without any scars and scars. For this, it is worth enduring temporary inconveniences - after all, you need to lubricate the wound every hour. The prepared ointment should be stored in a cool place.

Weeping eczema should be lubricated with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of pork fat, 2 chicken proteins, 100 grams of nightshade and one liter of celandine herb juice. The freshly prepared mixture must be thoroughly mixed and allowed to brew for 2-3 days, after which it should be lubricated with sore spots.

How to cook rendered pork fat

Option 1

Finely chop the fatty tissue, heat over low heat until the fat becomes transparent in appearance. Then pour through a colander into another saucepan, salt to taste, chop the onion and cook until the onion turns yellow. Strain through double cheesecloth into an enamel bowl, cool to room temperature and then put in frost.

Option 2

The chopped lard lard is melted in a saucepan, stirring so that it does not stick to the bottom and does not brown. Strain through a sieve or fine colander. Set aside in a warm place until the greaves settle to the bottom. Strain the already white bacon again, through double cheesecloth, into the jars. The greaves that remain must be salted and placed in jars. They are useful as an addition to meat for stuffed cabbage or cutlets.

Contraindications to the use of pork fat

Internal intake of pork fat is contraindicated in cholecystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, atherosclerosis and duodenitis.

Lilia Yurkanis
for women's magazine website

When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the women's online magazine is required

Pork fat is a valuable animal product. It has truly fantastic properties, saturating the body with the necessary substances and microelements. Despite this, to this day there are disputes regarding the need for this product in the diet. So what are the real benefits and harms of pork fat?

Composition and calorie content of internal pork fat

Pork fat is the melted lard of an animal, which is cut into small pieces and separated from the protein using heat treatment. The resulting pork fat is beneficial for the body and has a rich composition of nutrients. In terms of culinary qualities, taste and nutritional value, it is deservedly considered the best among animal fats. It consists of:

Monounsaturated acids (50%);
Saturated acids (41%);
Polyunsaturated acids (7%);
Useful vitamins;
Mineral substances;
Lecithin.

Nutritional value relative to other animal products:

Why is pork fat useful?

Any fats are the most important component for the full functioning of the body. Due to its medicinal properties, pork fat brings invaluable benefits, which are as follows:

Protection against malfunctions of the cardiovascular system. Monounsaturated acids reduce the risk of developing a group of disorders that have a negative effect on the work of the heart;
Help in keeping in shape. Studies have shown that moderate consumption of rendered pork fat is beneficial in helping to reduce weight, waist circumference, and cholesterol;
Normalization of the nervous system. Monounsaturated acids reduce irritability and increase physical activity;
Strengthening bone tissue. Acids allow the body to actively absorb calcium, which is necessary for bones and teeth;
Maintaining the immune system. Vitamins A, E, K, D in the composition do an excellent job with vitamin deficiency and increase resistance to viral diseases.

Important! Fats are said to be harmful to the body. However, this judgment only applies to trans fats found in manufactured foods (chips, convenience foods, crackers, or junk food). Domestic lard in moderation is beneficial and an integral part of the diet of a healthy person.

Pork fat treatment

Pork fat is widely used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine. Its versatile, nutrient-rich composition tends to envelop the internal organs, optimizing physiological processes. Fat is used both internally and externally - ointments, lotions, rubbing and other medicines are made on its basis.

Universal ointment recipe

Ointment is the most convenient in consistency product for external use. It is customary to cook it from pork fat and milk, given some peculiarities:

To make a medicine, pork fat must be turned into lard, or lard (melted in a microwave oven or on a gas stove). Manipulation will lead to oxidation, during which the product will not lose its medicinal properties and will be suitable for any type of consumption;
Add 50 g of lard to 0.5 l of boiled milk and mix thoroughly;
The mixture is left in a cool place until it cools completely and acquires the consistency of an ointment.

For joint pain

For the treatment of joints and other problems of the musculoskeletal system, it is useful to add a tablespoon of red pepper to the base. Such a composition, in its benefits, helps to increase blood flow and contributes to a quick recovery. The ointment is rubbed in at bedtime, covering with a bandage to keep warm.

Ointment for the treatment of skin diseases

For the treatment of skin diseases, medicinal herbs, for example, calendula, are added to the ointment. The plant is pre-dried or a pharmacy mixture is used, since recently cut flowers release moisture that forms condensation. Such a useful remedy with the addition of calendula helps with:

cuts;
scars;
peeling;
frostbite;
cracked heels;
chapping.

Burn ointment

Pork lard is also useful for the treatment of burns, as it promotes the regeneration of the dermal integument. It is important to understand that the benefits of a universal lard ointment do not make it a first aid. Its properties are relevant only at the stage of wound healing. If you smear a fresh, open wound, you can cause irreparable harm, since living microorganisms can provoke purulent inflammation.

For coughs and colds

A universal ointment without additives is used in folk medicine and for coughs, rubbing it into the chest area. The lard “mesh” retains heat, increases blood flow and promotes the excretion of phlegm. In addition, this recipe for pork cough fat is suitable for children of any age.

The tool fights cough not only from the outside, but also from the inside. The fact is that the internal fat got its name from being inside the animal. It surrounds the organs, protecting them from temperature and mechanical damage. The mechanism of action on the respiratory tract is that the agent soothes spasms, turning a dry cough into a wet one. This allows you to quickly remove harmful toxins and microorganisms. In addition, the body warms up at a temperature and the heat decreases. It is these beneficial properties of interior fat that allow it to be used as a cure for coughs and colds.

To relieve the symptoms of the disease, a drink is prepared from milk, pork fat and honey. This requires:

milk - 200 g;
honey - 1 teaspoon;
lard - 10 g.

Preparation and use: the ingredients are mixed and heated until boiling. The hot drink is consumed on an empty stomach. The therapy is carried out until the complete disappearance of the disease syndromes.

How pork fat is used in cosmetology

Cosmetologists have not ignored such a valuable and useful product of animal origin. Thanks to its fantastic effect on the skin, pork fat is used to make toning and rejuvenating face masks.

The famous Cleopatra mask is based on pork fat, aloe and liquid honey. These components perfectly complement each other and help to prolong youthfulness, making the skin firm and elastic. To prepare such a useful mask at home, you need:

pharmacy aloe juice - 40 ml;
honey - 10 ml;
lard - 100 g.

The components are mixed, heated in a water bath and left to cool at room temperature. The mask is applied to cleansed face and décolleté area. Using the product once a week gives a noticeable effect after a few months of use.

The use of pork fat in cooking

Pork fat has a pleasant smell and taste. Lard is often used in cooking and is added for canning and baking. Lard is also used fresh. A greasy product with garlic is an excellent anti-hangover agent that is beneficial in cleansing blood vessels from cholesterol and accelerates the process of removing harmful substances from the body. However, do not forget that in addition to benefits, lard can also be harmful if not consumed in moderation.

Important! It is not recommended to give fat to children under two years of age, since the fragile body is not yet ready to eat heavy food.

Is it possible to fry in pork fat

Studies have shown that pork fat is much better absorbed than vegetable oil. This is due to the fact that fat does not lose its beneficial properties during any heat treatment. That is why it is not only possible to cook on it, but also necessary.

How to melt pork fat at home

Ghee can be bought at the store, however, nothing beats homemade lard, so it's best to cook it yourself.

How to melt lard into fat

To make the fat tasty and retain its useful qualities, it is necessary to reflow, observing the following algorithm:

The lard, cleared of meat, is cut into small pieces;
A frying pan with a thick bottom is heated over low heat;
The pieces are placed in a preheated container, gradually increasing the heat;
When the bacon boils, greaves will begin to separate from it. Only after they have settled to the bottom, the fat is considered ready (the process lasts at least 2 hours);
After turning off the gas, you can add a large number of granulated sugar. This will give the mass a pleasant aroma;
Lard is left in a frying pan until it cools, after which it is filtered through cheesecloth;
The container with strained, slightly warm fat is placed in the freezer. Quick freezing will help maintain a uniform consistency and prevent lumps from forming.

How to melt pork fat

You can melt fat on the stove, in the oven or in a multicooker. There are two different ways:

Wet. The diced fat is placed in a saucepan with a little water. The mass is brought to a boil and the ingredients are completely dissolved. After cooling, the mixture is poured into a glass or ceramic container.
Dry. This method consists in melting without adding water. Fat is placed in a frying pan, in a slow cooker or oven, at a temperature of 90 - 120C. Stirring occasionally with a wooden spatula will help maintain a uniform consistency and a pleasant delicate aroma.

The harm of pork fat and contraindications

Like any other animal product, pork fat can be harmful, so there are some contraindications. Fat in any form is not recommended for use:

during the recovery period after surgery: a large amount of calories in pork fat can interfere with the recovery process after surgery;
people with chronic gastritis, diabetes;
with individual intolerance to external use.

Important! The main rule is compliance with the measure. Lard is high in calories. In order to avoid any harm to the body, no more than 100 grams of the product should be consumed per day.

How to choose fat for melting

When using low-quality lard when reflowing, there is a possibility of getting lard with an unpleasant smell and taste. To choose the right lard, you need to pay attention to:

Smell. Fresh lard has a pleasant, milky aroma. Even a light, barely perceptible smell of urea will increase significantly after heat treatment;
Colour. A quality product is pinkish-white in color. A gray, yellow or greenish tint indicates that it is stale or stored incorrectly, which can reduce the benefits and impart unpleasant taste;
Meat layers. Such lard is more suitable for frying, but not for melting;
Thickness. The optimal piece thickness is 3-6 cm.

Additional information on how to choose the right lard:

How much pork fat is stored

The raw material retains its useful properties during a fairly long storage in any form. However, the recommended shelf life in the refrigerator is no more than 2 years in a hermetically sealed container.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of pork fat directly depend on the quantity and quality of the product consumed. If you take into account all the recommendations, the beneficial properties of lard significantly exceed the harm that it can cause.

Kira Stoletova

Pork fat is used by humans for cooking and as the basis for many medicinal preparations. Lard is a source of large amounts of calories and is used in its pure form to quickly replenish energy. In addition, the greasy layer from a thoroughbred pig has a high taste.

Lard is often used to grease molds before baking, so pastries do not burn. Many housewives are wondering how to melt pork fat at home. To do this, you need to purchase a good greasy layer and follow the rules for melting the product.

Useful properties of fat for the body

Many people wonder if pork fat is useful, what are its special properties. It all depends on the correct dosage.

Large quantities of rendered internal pork fat are dangerous to humans. It is a heavy food that is difficult to digest and is not suitable for people with weak stomachs.

However, as a food additive, it is often used for first and second courses. The lard contains a large number of nutrients. Among them are vitamin A and linoleic acids. It also has a low cholesterol content compared to other animal fats. Internal intake of lard helps to speed up metabolism and improve the functioning of all body systems.

The presence of arachidonic acid also explains the benefits of fat, since this component is part of the cells of the human heart. Thus, lard supports the work of the heart muscle and improves the production of hormones.

The biological activity of pork fat is 5 times higher than that of fats of other origin. Thanks to this, the product is quickly broken down and accelerates metabolism. One of the important positive qualities of lard is that when melted, the product does not lose its beneficial properties, unlike the fat of cows or sheep.

Useful properties of lard

Lard benefits the body due to its medicinal properties. Internal use of this product helps to get rid of diseases such as:

bronchitis;
pneumonia;
pneumonia;
dystrophy.

External use of lard is suitable for the treatment of a cold cough. For this, compresses should be applied to the throat and chest. The internal application of pork fat to the sore throat also helps with coughing. Before that, it is recommended to mix the lard with honey.

Benefits of interior pork fat

Pork fat is used to treat joints. In folk medicine, it is recommended to lubricate diseased parts of the body with them at night. Above, the limb is wrapped in a dense damp cloth at room temperature.

In case of malfunction of the musculoskeletal system, lard is mixed with salt and applied externally to the injured area. A warm bandage should be applied on top.

A mixture of pork fat and toasted onion is used in folk medicine to treat burns. Crushed tablets of acetylsalicylic acid are also added to the ointment. The damaged area of the skin is lubricated for several days without applying a bandage. Acetylsalicylic acid prevents infection, onions are powerful antibacterial agents, and lard protects the skin from scars.

Pork fat in folk medicine

In folk medicine, there is also a recipe for an ointment to treat eczema. For the medicine, the following ingredients are used:

2 tbsp. l. lard;
2 egg whites;
100 g nightshade;
1 liter of celandine juice.

All components must be mixed and left for three days. The affected skin should be lubricated within a week.

Special mention should be made of the use of pork fat in the cosmetic industry. Natural soap is made on the basis of lard and oxidants of various types. It can also be cooked at home using copper, zinc and heavy metal salts as oxidants.

Regular use of small amounts of pork fat during cooking will improve immunity and help flush many harmful toxins from the body.

Contraindications to the use of pork fat

First of all, the wrong dosage of the product, and not the rendered pork fat itself, can cause great harm. Despite the low percentage of cholesterol, it is not recommended to use lard for daily cooking. This can hinder the digestive process and disrupt the functioning of the body. Contraindications also apply to the constant daily use of the product.

Melt pork fat

HA Pork fat slows down the aging process and can be used in pharmaceuticals

How to Burn Domestic Pork Fat

However, in many countries it is not customary to melt lard before consuming it. Most often, the fat layer is only salted, and then kept in places with low temperatures, so many harmful bacteria remain inside the adipose tissue. To protect yourself, you should smoke the product before salting: this will help get rid of most microorganisms.

Through scientific research, scientists have shown that rendered pork fat can cause poor brain cells to function. Since lard is not broken down by normal gastric juices, the body uses glucose to process the product. The consequences are constant hunger and decreased brain activity.

Diseases for which pork fat is contraindicated

Excessive consumption of pork fat can cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system. Severely digested foods put stress on all internal organs.

There are a number of contraindications for use by people suffering from chronic diseases, such as:

Hepatitis;
Cholecystitis;
Pancreatitis;
Atherosclerosis.

Pork fat melting

Before drowning the interior pork fat, you should choose the right greasy layer. When heated, low-quality or old fat has an unpleasant aroma and yellow color. The use of such lard in cooking can lead to poisoning. A good greasy layer has the following external characteristics:

the skin should be soft, without unpleasant odors;
white color of the pulp;
lard should not have a sour smell;
the fat should be checked for density with a toothpick: it will enter a good greasy layer like butter;
the thickness of the product should not be more than 15 cm;
the presence of a layer of gray-red meat.

During the purchase, it is not recommended to try raw bacon: this can cause poisoning or serious infections. You should also ask the seller about the breed of pig. From meat species of artiodactyls, the sebaceous layer is of low quality.

How to choose lard for melting

Lard from wild boar is a good option for melting. It is better to take such lard from hunters. This product must not be eaten raw. The medicinal value of fat from wild boar is much higher than from farm pig. Such lard is used for medicinal purposes, not for cooking.

To melt fat at home, you should choose a metal container of the appropriate volume. Before melting the fat, you need to ignite the dishes on both sides. The melting procedure looks like this:

Lard is washed in boiled water and dried with paper.
The fat is cut into pieces and placed in a container.
The lard is melted until greaves appear, which must be removed.
The resulting mass is cooled and placed in the refrigerator.

In order not to melt pork fat excessively, it is necessary to monitor the color of the greaves: they should have a yellowish or poorly expressed flesh color. Lard can be stored for 18 months at low temperatures.

Conclusion

Processed pork fat is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Depending on the dosage, lard can cause both benefits and harm to the human body. To properly melt lard, you should carefully choose the source product.

Lard is a white fatty tissue that covers the pig's internal organs. The product has a loose consistency. Pork fat is effective in treating colds and more. Before using a component for medicinal purposes, it must be melted. To do this, the fat must be placed in a container and placed in the oven at a moderate temperature. The procedure can be carried out on a gas stove, melting over low heat. Then the pork fat should be drained into another container, separating it from the remaining greaves. The resulting product is called lard. In this form, it is stored much longer and is excellent for treatment.

Beneficial features

The healing properties of interior fat are due to its chemical composition. Despite the fact that the product is animal fat, it contains a small amount of cholesterol, therefore, a reasonable intake of the component has a beneficial effect on human health.

The composition of the interior fat includes other substances:

fatty acids (arachidonic, linolenic, steoric, palmetic);
vitamins A, K, D, E;
minerals (zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium);
lecithin;
proteins;
histamines.

The peculiarity of pork lard is that this product does not lose its beneficial properties when heated and cooked, unlike lamb and beef fat.

Indication for the use of lard for medicinal purposes is the presence of the following diseases:

bronchitis;
pneumonia;
a cold accompanied by a cough;
ear inflammation;
pulmonary tuberculosis;
general depletion of the body;
skin diseases (eczema, burns, dermatitis).

Regular use of the product for preventive purposes normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, removes heavy metals and toxins from the body, and also increases resistance to pathogens.

Pork lard is a high-calorie product, so excessive use of it can negatively affect a person's figure or cause food allergies.

A contraindication to use is the presence of the following pathologies:

duodenitis;
obesity;
impaired metabolism;
pathology of the liver and pancreas.

The use of interior fat for medicinal purposes

For treatment, it is necessary to use only a high-quality product, which in liquid form should have a transparent amber tint, and when cooled - white. At the same time, the interior fat should have a pleasant characteristic smell without admixture of unpleasant shades.

Effective recipes for folk remedies based on this component:

Appointment	Mode of application
Coughing	1. Melt 100 g of lard. 2. Add 100 g of cocoa and 100 g of chopped figs to the mixture. 3. Reception is carried out 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon of the product until the condition improves
Bronchitis	1. Melt the interior fat. 2. Rub the patient's chest until warmth is felt. 3. Wrap up in a warm blanket and put to bed. 4. Repeat the procedure daily until the condition improves.
Pulmonary tuberculosis	1. Prepare a mixture of 100 g of linden honey, 100 g of interior lard, 100 g of butter, 15 g of aloe juice, 50 g of cocoa powder. 2. Initially, melt honey, lard and butter over low heat. 3. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir the mixture thoroughly until an even consistency. 4. Reception is carried out in the morning and in the evening, dissolving 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 1 glass of warm milk. 5. For long-term storage of the product, use the refrigerator.
Prevention of influenza	1. Pour rosehip berries (100 g) with boiling water (500 ml). 2. Leave to simmer in a thermos overnight. 3. Take in the form of tea 2 times a day, adding 1 teaspoon of honey and lard to 1 glass of the drink. 4. Medicinal tea allows not only to prevent the development of influenza, but also saturates the body with additional energy
Weeping eczema	1. Mix 60 g lard, 2 egg white, 50 ml celandine juice. 2. Infuse the mixture for 4 days in a dark place. 3. Lubricate the affected skin 3 times a day until the condition improves.
Burns	1. Melt 500 g of lard and fry a small onion in it. 2. Add 5 crushed acetylsalicylic acid tablets to the mixture. 3. Apply ointment to the damaged skin every hour for 2 weeks, which will accelerate not only wound healing, but also cell regeneration
Runny nose	Rub the inner pork fat on the feet at night and put on warm socks
Joint pain	1. Mix 100 g of lard with 1 tablespoon of finely ground salt. 2. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the problem area and apply a warming bandage on top. 3. Repeat the procedure until the condition improves.

There is a misconception that cholesterol is only harmful to health, but this is not the case. This component is especially necessary for a person in stressful situations and in inflammatory processes. If cholesterol enters the body with food, then this allows you to reduce the load on the body, since it does not need to synthesize it from internal organs. Therefore, interior pork fat is an ideal product to provide the body with vital components.

None of the fats has probably been criticized as much by doctors and scientists as pork fat. It has been made one of the most harmful foods to human health. Used for many hundreds of years until the beginning of the 20th century, pork fat gradually faded into the shadows, and today rarely does any housewife have a jar of this fat in her refrigerator. Is he really so harmful or is all the fears far-fetched. Let's talk in more detail about the benefits and dangers of pork fat.

In recent years, it seemed that this product is doomed and should completely disappear from our lives. This is all thanks to pseudo-experts who have discussed the pros and cons of saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats. Fortunately, in recent years, all these findings have been questioned and more detailed study. It turned out that pork fat does not have trans fats and is lower in calories than butter and does not lead to clogged arteries. And pork fat gradually began to return to our kitchens.

What is pork fat

Until the beginning of the last century, pork fat was one of the main types of cooking oil. It was fried on it, it was added to the dough. And what a delicious crispy crust is obtained from a chicken when smeared with pork fat!

Pork fat began to go even further into oblivion since the invention of margarine, which was presented as a healthy alternative to fat.

Margarine is a vegetable fat that is solid at room temperature due to a hydrogenation process.

This production method creates trans fatty acids, which are now believed to be the source of high cholesterol. These unnatural compounds can also adversely affect cell membranes and the immune system, increase the risk of inflammation in the body, cancer, and accelerate aging.

After the end of the Second World War, the consumption of pork fat, along with other animal fats, began to fall even more. In the minds of many, it is stuck that they are the main cause of high cholesterol and related diseases.

Fortunately, recent studies have found no association between saturated fat and high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease. And what exactly is most of all to blame for this pork fat, there is no scientific evidence yet. Perhaps this is for the best. Indeed, despite all the "sins" and accusations of this type of animal fat, many chefs of restaurants and cafes continued to cook their masterpieces on it.

Pork fat is melted lard. The lard, cut into small pieces, is gradually heated to separate the fat from the protein. The latter is also called cracklings, a very tasty by-product of lard reheating.

Pork fat composition and useful properties

Overheated pork fat differs in its composition from lard. In terms of fatty acids, it is better than butter. Pork fat consists of:

50 percent monounsaturated fatty acids;

40 percent saturated fatty acids;

10 percent polyunsaturated acids.

Butter contains only 45 percent monounsaturated fatty acids. A high percentage of monounsaturated fat is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Most of the monounsaturated fatty acids in pork fat are acids:

Oleinova;

Palmitinova;

Stearinova;

Linoleic.

In addition, it contains archidonic acid, which is also an unsaturated fatty acid. This acid plays an important role in the synthesis of many hormones, cholesterol metabolism, and an enzyme in the heart muscle.

Lard contains almost twice as much oleic acid as in the same butter. This acid is found in large quantities in olive oil, which is one of the healthiest vegetable oils. Oleic acid lowers cholesterol levels in the body by preventing plaque buildup on the walls of blood vessels. This acid is also called Omega-9.

The percentage of polyunsaturated fats depends on what the pigs are fed with. The more grains and plant foods are present in their diet, the less their content will be.

Lard is the second largest source of vitamin D nutrition, ranking after cod liver. One tablespoon of fat contains 1000 IU of this vitamin.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Therefore, in order for it to be absorbed by the body, saturated fatty acids must be present in the diet. Lard in this regard is ideal and provides the body with all the necessary cofactors.

The amount of vitamin D depends on the conditions in which the pigs are kept. For it to be produced and stored, pigs must receive sunlight.

In addition to vitamin D, pork fat contains vitamins K, A, E.

Let us now consider the beneficial properties of this fat from a culinary point of view.

Pork fat has a higher smoke point than some vegetable oils, i.e. it is more thermostable. This means that it can be heated more strongly and it does not form any carcinogenic substances. Its boiling point is about 190 degrees.

Saturated fats have simple single bonds between all molecules of the fatty acid chain and are therefore more heat-resistant than double bonds. The most thermally unstable are polyunsaturated fatty acids. When such bonds are broken, the process of fatty acid oxidation occurs.

Oxidized fats are free radicals that damage cells and must be minimized in the body.

Due to this property, it can be used for deep-fat frying, in batter, added to the dough when baking various flour products, including cookies. A golden brown crust forms during frying.

Pork fat does not have a pronounced smell and taste in comparison, for example, with lamb fat.

Pork fat benefits

Pork fat is not only a culinary product on which you can fry, stew, and bake. It has long been used for medicinal purposes:

With diseases of the joints;

Skin diseases: irritation, peeling, burns, etc.

They were treated with:

It combines well with other oils and fats, beeswax, glycerin, and alcohol.

Sore joints are rubbed with it. Mixed with beeswax, it has been used to restore joint mobility. They make ointments with it for the treatment of eczema, burns.

It was once used as fuel in lamps and for making candles, as a lubricant. Pork fat is the best fat for cast iron pans.

Lard has been used for centuries to make soap. The piece turns out to be white and very hard, giving a rich foam.

Nobody uses it in cosmetology now. But our ancestors considered it to be the best remedy for frostbite and chapped skin, against flaking and cracks.

Over the years of exile and oblivion, we have lost a lot of knowledge about the application and know little about the benefits of pork fat, for which our grandmothers valued it. But even the return of fat to our kitchens is already a plus and a huge benefit.

Pork fat medicinal properties

The medicinal properties of pork fat are used only in traditional medicine. Unfortunately, a lot of this knowledge is lost. But there are still those who remember how their grandmothers and mothers treated their cough with milk with pork fat in their childhood. It was not very pleasant to drink, but it helped.

Treating coughs and colds

Hot tea with milk and fat helps cough. You can brew the herbs with milk, strain and add one teaspoon of melted interior pork fat to the hot broth. For a better warming effect, add a pinch of ground ginger, honey, chocolate. After drinking tea, go to bed and sweat.

Smear the feet with fat from the temperature. Cover the top with a plastic bag and put on woolen socks. This procedure also relieves the common cold.

With a strong cough, rub the breast with pork fat, adding a little vodka or alcohol to it. Wrap up and sweat.

For bronchitis, you can make such an ointment for rubbing. Take two tablespoons (50 grams) of pork fat and add two tablespoons of vodka and 5 drops of fir essential oil to it. Mix well and use for rubbing the chest and back. Do not forget to wrap up well.

To strengthen the immune system, brew a rosehip in a thermos. In a hot infusion, add half a teaspoon of fat and honey to a glass.

More recently, tuberculosis was an incurable disease. Such seriously ill patients were given 2 tablespoons of melted (liquid) pork fat, which was seized with honey.

Treatment of joints with pork fat

For pain in the joints, they are lubricated at night with pork fat. Cover the top with a film or a bag and wrap it up.

To improve mobility, such an ointment was made. Mixed 100 grams of fat with a tablespoon of table salt. The ointment was applied in a thin layer to the sore joint and wrapped.

To prepare an ointment for radiculitis, mix melted pork fat with ground hot red pepper, adding a little milk. When the ointment hardens, rub it on the back and wrap it with a woolen scarf. Red hot peppers contain capsaicin, which has warming properties, relieves pain due to improved blood circulation in the affected area.

Treatment of skin diseases

This ointment is still being prepared by many. It helps with eczema. Take two tablespoons of melted interior pork fat and mix it with protein from 2 chicken eggs (homemade).

Add 100 grams of nightshade and 500 ml of celandine juice. Mix everything well and leave for 3-4 days. The resulting ointment is rubbed several times a day into the affected skin.

Burn ointment

Take 500 grams of pork fat and 1 medium onion. Fry the onions in fat and when the mixture has cooled slightly, add 5 crushed aspirin tablets to it.

Mix everything and lubricate the burn site several times a day.

Aspirin relieves pain and prevents infection. Pork fat speeds up skin healing.

An ointment made from pork fat and sea buckthorn oil helps with burns.

After applying the ointment, the burn site is closed with a sterile bandage.

In case of skin inflammation, irritation, make an ointment with herbs. To do this, prepare a decoction of chamomile, coltsfoot and calendula. Mix a small amount of the broth with the melted fat and pour into a jar.

You can prepare the ointment in another way. Grind the herbs into powder. To avoid large parts of the plant, you can sift. Take a tablespoon of the herbal mixture and pour into the melted fat (about 50-60 grams). Put in a water bath and hold for 25-30 minutes. Pour into a jar and cool.

To remove warts, take 2 parts of fat and 1 part of minced garlic. Apply as a compress to the affected area and secure it. You need to apply the ointment until the warts disappear.

Pork fat harm

Of course, like any food product, pork fat can be harmful. Yet it is fat and it has a high calorie content. Therefore, they should not get carried away by people prone to obesity and weight gain. It is forbidden to cook with pork fat for diseases:

Pancreas;

Gastrointestinal tract.

Pork fat is a source of many nutrients. But not all fat is the same. Much depends on the feed given to the pigs. Plus, pigs are omnivorous. They can eat everything from worms to grains.

The quality of fat depends on which part it was melted from. Interior fat from the kidney area is considered the highest grade. This fat has a mild flavor and is good for baking. After overheating, it is white.

The second quality is fat, which is melted from the lard on the back of the pig. After reheating, it has a light creamy color.

Fat melted from the internal organs is considered the lowest quality. After overheating, it may have a slightly grayish color, soft after hardening.

Summing up, we can say that pork fat, melted from internal fat or from lard, is a healthy food product. It is suitable for frying and can withstand high heating temperatures without emitting carcinogens that can cause significant harm to health.

About fat and its properties in the video