Better than Bouillon is a concentrated paste that is made by Nestlé and sold as an alternative to homemade broths and stocks. With Better than Bouillon, you just need to mix a small amount of the paste with hot water to create a broth or stock. But what exactly is the difference between broth and stock, and does Better than Bouillon make one or the other?
What is the Difference Between Broth and Stock?
There is some debate about the exact definitions of broth versus stock. However, in general:
- Broth is made by simmering meat, vegetables, and/or bones in water for a relatively short period of time (e.g. 2-3 hours). Broths have a thin, clear appearance and light flavor.
- Stock is made by simmering bones, meat scraps, and/or vegetables in water for a much longer period of time (e.g. 6-24 hours). The long cooking time extracts more gelatin, fat, and nutrients from the ingredients, giving stock a thicker, richer mouthfeel and more intense flavor.
So in summary:
- Broth: thin, clear liquid with light flavor, made from brief simmering of meat and/or veggies
- Stock: rich, thick liquid with deep flavor, made from prolonged simmering of bones, meat, and veggies
Does Better than Bouillon Make Broth or Stock?
Better than Bouillon does not neatly fit into either category of broth or stock. Here are some key qualities of Better than Bouillon:
- It has an intense, concentrated flavor, similar to stock.
- It produces a liquid end-product more like broth in viscosity and clarity.
- It is made through a proprietary dehydration process, not the traditional simmering process for broths/stocks.
So in summary, while Better than Bouillon yields a product similar to broth, the concentrate itself is made through a unique process and has a rich, intense flavor profile closer to stock.
Ingredients in Better than Bouillon
Examining the ingredients list also provides clues about whether Better than Bouillon is more like broth or stock:
| Ingredient Type | Example Ingredients | Found in Broth | Found in Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | Beef, chicken | Yes | Yes |
| Vegetables | Tomatoes, onions, carrots | Yes | Yes |
| Herbs & Spices | Parsley, thyme, black pepper | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Bones | Beef bones, chicken bones | No | Yes |
| Salt | Salt | Yes | Yes |
| Fat | Canola oil | No | Yes |
The ingredients analysis shows that Better than Bouillon contains elements common to both broth and stock. The presence of bones and fat in particular reflect the use of stock-like ingredients.
How Is Better than Bouillon Made?
Understanding the production process for Better than Bouillon also gives insight into whether it is more like broth or stock:
- Manufacturer selects meat, vegetables, and bones as ingredients.
- Ingredients are simmered together to extract flavor.
- Liquid is strained from solids.
- Liquid is condensed down through proprietary dehydration process.
- Dried concentrate is packaged into jars as Better than Bouillon product.
The initial simmering of meat, veggies, and bones is reminiscent of traditional stock-making. However, Better than Bouillon then undergoes a tech-heavy dehydration process to create an intense paste. This innovative production method is what sets it apart from either classic broth or stock.
How Is Better than Bouillon Used?
Looking at how Better than Bouillon is used in cooking also hints at whether it is more analogous to broth or stock:
- A small amount (1-2 teaspoons) is combined with hot water to make 8-16 ounces of liquid.
- The resulting liquid is used for cooking purposes like soups, stews, rice, etc.
- It can be used as a 1:1 substitute for broth or stock in any recipe.
- The liquid has a thin, clear appearance like broth.
- The liquid has a rich, intense flavor like stock.
In usage, Better than Bouillon offers the convenience of broth with the flavor impact of stock. Its versatility makes it difficult to categorize as strictly one or the other.
Nutritional Profile
Here is a nutritional comparison of Better than Bouillon versus typical broth and stock:
| Nutrient (per 1 cup) | Better than Bouillon | Chicken Broth | Chicken Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 45 | 10 | 20 |
| Fat | 2g | 0g | 1g |
| Protein | 3g | 2g | 3g |
| Sodium | 860mg | 130mg | 45mg |
Better than Bouillon has significantly higher calorie, fat, protein, and sodium levels compared to regular broth and stock. This is likely due to its concentrated paste form created through dehydration.
Conclusion
In summary, while Better than Bouillon yields a liquid product similar in viscosity and appearance to broth, the paste itself has a production process, ingredient list, intense flavor, and nutritional profile more akin to stock. Its unique concentrated nature and versatility put it in a category of its own between traditional broth and stock.