The Taste Test: What Does Bone Broth Actually Taste Like? (And How to Drink It)

1. The Verdict: Does It Taste Like Meat?

Yes, and it should. A high-quality Angus bone broth concentrate tastes like a rich, intense roast beef gravy or a premium Bovril-style drink, but without the extreme saltiness. It has a deep umami (savoury) profile. If a bone broth product tastes of almost nothing, it may have been heavily filtered or formulated to be very mild. Because Collanature Natural is unsalted, it can taste “flat” to the modern palate if drunk completely plain. The secret to unlocking the flavour is simple: you need to season it.

The Expectation Gap

Many first-time buyers expect bone broth to taste like a ready-made soup from a tin. When they taste a teaspoon of the pure, unsalted jelly, they are often confused: “It tastes like… beef essence.” Exactly. It is an ingredient, a base. Just as you would not eat a raw stock cube or plain flour, you need to “dress” the concentrate to make it a palatable daily drink. Once seasoned, it transforms from “beefy jelly” into a comforting, warming tonic.

2. The Ritual: How to Make "Savoury Tea"

The most popular way to enjoy bone broth in the UK is as a hot drink, replacing tea or coffee. To make it truly enjoyable, you need to balance the richness of the broth with salt and a touch of acidity.

The Perfect Cup Formula

• Add 1–2 teaspoons of Collanature Bone Broth Concentrate to a mug.
• Pour in hot water (not actively boiling; a gentle, just-off-the-boil temperature is ideal).
• Critical step: Add a pinch of good-quality sea salt (for example, Maldon or Himalayan) to bring out the savoury notes.
• The game changer: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar. The acidity cuts through the richness and brightens the flavour instantly.

Why Salt Matters

We deliberately leave salt out of the concentrate so you can control your own sodium intake. However, our taste buds rely on sodium to fully perceive savouriness. If you drink it without any salt, it will taste muted. With a little salt, it tastes like a light gourmet consommé or “beef tea”.

3. The "Stealth Mode": Hiding It in Food

If you truly dislike drinking beef-flavoured drinks, you do not have to have it as a mug. One of the biggest advantages of a concentrate is that it dissolves instantly into food, adding depth and nutrition without dominating the flavour. It acts like a natural stock-pot base.

• Rice & quinoa: Dissolve a spoonful in the cooking water. The grains absorb the broth and you will simply taste a richer, more savoury result.
• Bolognese & stews: Stir it into your mince or sauce. It adds body and helps the sauce cling to the pasta naturally thanks to the gelatin.
• Mashed potato: Swap part of the butter for a spoonful of broth. You add extra protein and savoury depth while relying on less pure fat.

4. Flavour vs. Processed Powders

This is the main trade-off. Hydrolysed collagen powders are often processed to be almost completely tasteless and odourless, so they can be “hidden” in water or smoothies. Bone broth concentrate is a real food; it keeps its natural aroma and taste.

While powder wins on invisibility, broth wins on culinary potential. You cannot make a delicious gravy, soup base or risotto stock with a neutral powder. A good broth invites you to cook, to season and to experiment in the kitchen; powder simply disappears into whatever you are drinking.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I mix it with fruit juice?

Technically yes, but we do not recommend it. The beefy, savoury flavour tends to clash with sweet fruit notes. It works best with savoury partners like tomato, herbs and spices.

2. Does it smell up the kitchen?

Only briefly, when you pour on the hot water. It smells like a Sunday roast in the oven – a warm, appetising aroma from real beef broth, not a synthetic smell.

3. Can I add spices?

Absolutely. Turmeric, black pepper, ginger and chilli are all excellent additions. A “golden broth latte” (broth plus turmeric and a splash of coconut milk) is a popular, warming drink on cold days.

4. Is the texture slimy?

In the fridge, the concentrate sets into a firm jelly – that is the natural gelatin doing its job. Once mixed with hot water, it becomes a smooth liquid, similar to tea or a light stock. It is not slimy to drink.

5. Can I drink it cold?

We do not recommend it. The natural gelatin and fats can firm up or feel greasy when cold. Collanature is designed to be enjoyed warm or hot, when the texture is at its best.

6. What if I really cannot stand the taste?

If the savoury mug still is not for you, use “stealth mode”: hide it in strong-flavoured dishes such as spicy curries, rich tomato sauces or slow-cooked stews. The spices and herbs will mask the beef note almost completely, while the broth still does its job as a cooking base.

Final Thoughts

Taste is subjective, but real quality has a recognisable flavour. Once you master the simple art of seasoning with salt, pepper and a little acidity, this “beef tea” often becomes a favourite daily ritual – a small, savoury pause in a busy day.

Shop Collanature: Original (Unflavoured) or Wild Berries.