"Natural Flavors". So mysterious. Do you know exactly what they’re made of?

This is a question that’s irked me for years. Google (and food producers too) have been little help finding a real answer. But then, I had the opportunity to chat with a food scientist about this topic. While they explained things to me, it was as if the sky opened up and clarity rained down. Finally, some light was shed on this enigmatic ingredient! Piggybacking on last week’s blog post about lab-produced ingredients, let’s look a little deeper at what “natural flavors” actually are. Then, you can make an educated choice whether it’s something you choose to include in your diet.

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What is a "lab produced" ingredient anyway? How can you tell real from fake?

Our food world is overly complicated nowadays. It’s more common for today’s food to be produced in a lab or factory than with a human hand. That’s a crazy change, crazy fast. Evolution undoubtedly takes much longer. Are our bodies able to handle these new artificial ingredients? Is it better to be safe than sorry? Let’s take a dive into understanding what a “lab produced” ingredient is and how that differs from a “factory produced” ingredient. Let’s figure out what you can do to tell the difference and the things you should look out for when shopping for food or finding new food sources that you trust.

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What does "fresh when frozen" mean? Does hanging time mean it's not fresh?

When we think about the quality of meat, freshness usually comes to mind. But, what is “fresh” meat anyway? Let's get to the "meat" of the answers. Learn what "fresh when frozen" means, why hanging time is needed, the hanging times for specific animals, how hanging and storage affects histamines, and more!

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Why transparency in food is super important to Miller's.

Why transparency? Why is this something Miller’s Bio Farm believes in so strongly? Let’s see if I can explain… Miller’s Bio Farm believes that personal choice is paramount. What you put into your body is your choice. Here’s the short version of my story.

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Why would raw milk separate when heated? Does it mean it's spoiled?

One confusing topic that seems to come up again and again with our customers is the belief that, if raw milk splits when boiled, it’s the farm’s fault. The milk must have been spoiled. Well, here’s the scientific dirt on this issue. There is one simple factor that makes milk curdle - acidity!

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Do you have to skim the scum when making yummy healthy broth?

If you’ve ever made stock or broth, you know what I mean when I talk about “scum”. It’s harmless. It’s flavorless. It’s perfectly fine to eat and probably shouldn’t be given such a derogatory name. Maybe we should call it bone foam or protein puddles or broth clouds instead. So… why skim the scum?

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The farm's intentions for 2022 might surprise you. We're always moving forward!

It’s that time of year. I’m happy to share the farm’s 2022 intentions. After all, it all wouldn’t be possible without your amazing support!

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Why butter is the most important cookie ingredient... and quality does matter!

I’ve come to realize that a huge part of cookie success comes down to butter! The quality and handling of butter can make or break a cookie recipe, even one that’s tried and true. Butter gives flavor, tenderness, and flaky layers to baked goods. It has a little liquid, which contributes to structure and rise. And, butter can enhance or inhibit gluten development, which in turn affects the shape, spread and texture of a cookie. Here are some top cookie/butter questions answered.

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Fermented raw A2/A2 milk can boost your pet's health. Here's 7 reasons why!

If you’re reading this, then you likely provide your family with the healthiest, most nutritious foods you can… and that should include the furry members of your family, too! Cats are carnivores, and dogs are omnivores. But, both are mammals. This means that, just like humans, they started their lives drinking raw milk. Ever have your pet (at least try to) lap milk up from your glass? I have! And, it seems that there’s a good reason for that innate desire.

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The healthy history of eggnog plus a quick & easy recipe

Eggnog is an old fashioned drink, a very old fashioned drink. It was originally used as a health tonic, but was transformed into a fancy holiday drink a few hundred years ago. Buying eggnog from a store can be tricky due to questionable ingredients or processes. Luckily, it's quick and easy to make at home with healthy farm-direct ingredients!

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