Suet

Suet is raw beef or mutton fat, especially the hard fat found around the loins and kidneys. It is a solid at room temperature, and melts at about 21°C (70°F). It is a saturated fat.

Related Topics:
Beef - Mutton - Fat - Kidney - Saturated fat

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The primary use of suet is to make tallow in a process called rendering, which involves melting and extended simmering, followed by straining, cooling and usually a repetition of the entire process.

Related Topics:
Tallow - Rendering

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Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration. It is used to make soap, for cooking, as a bird food, and was once used for making candles.

Related Topics:
Tallow - Refrigeration - Soap - Bird - Candle

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The type sold in supermarkets is dehydrated suet.

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Vegetarian suet is readily available in UK supermarkets. It is made from fat such as palm oil combined with rice flour. It resembles shredded beef suet, and is used as a substitute in recipes.

Related Topics:
Vegetarian - UK - Palm oil - Rice flour

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