Beware the dangers lurking in your homemade chicken soup
When the temperature outside drops, soups come into play. They warm you up perfectly and also taste good when reheated. It's worth ensuring they are not only tasty but also healthy.
The foundation of every soup is an essential broth, typically made from meat and vegetables. While vegetables don't pose much of a problem, choosing the right meat isn't straightforward. The choice often falls on poultry, which suits almost all soups. However, parts that shouldn't end up on our tables tempt with their attractive price.
The worst meat for soup
Nothing is probably more comforting on cold days than a fragrant, homemade soup. It's delicious and a source of many vitamins and minerals that strengthen our bodies. However, for the soup to be not only tasty but also safe, it's important to pay attention to the quality of ingredients.
Although chicken is a popular choice for making broth, not all of its parts are equally safe. Experts warn against consuming the head, lungs, and the chicken rear end, as harmful substances and parasites may accumulate in these parts. Even long cooking times may not always ensure their complete removal.
The head may contain high levels of heavy metals, hormones, and other harmful substances that can negatively affect our bodies. Offal contains a lot of fat and protein, which during cooking can cause the broth to become cloudy.
How to choose meat for soup?
We can enjoy delicious and healthy soup by choosing high-quality meat from safe parts. Red meat with bones, such as brisket or beef ribs, is a good choice. It is rich in collagen, which gives the broth a gelatinous consistency and benefits joints and skin. Duck is also an option, providing the broth with a deep, dark colour and distinctive taste. It's worth remembering that both beef and duck are sources of iron, which is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Opt for poultry such as chicken or turkey if you prefer a lighter taste. Poultry meat is usually leaner and easier to digest. Drumsticks, breasts, or wings will be just right here.
