My tallow is gritty how can i fix it?

Let’s talk about the science around why this happens.

When tallow is exposed to heat during shipping, it melts and the fats separate. As it cools, if the process is too slow, uneven, or involves repeated heating and cooling cycles, the saturated fat molecules crystallize into larger clusters rather than a smooth network. This fat crystallization creates a visible and tactile grainy texture. Since these are natural products and we don’t use any synthetic waxes or emulsifiers inside of them to keep form this is likely to happen especially during warmer months. To prevent or reduce chances of this happening we do recommend the summer shipping add on that provides ice packs and priority shipping to keep the balm out of elevated temperatures and fluctuating temperatures.

Key contributing factors to this happening

• Cooling Rate: Cooling too slowly or unevenly allows larger crystals to develop.
• Temperature Swings: Repeated melting and resolidification disturbs the balm’s structure, causing components to solidify at different times.
• Lack of Agitation: If the tallow is not stirred or whipped while setting, fat molecules clump together, leaving gritty pockets.

Does this compromise the balms shelf life or cause it to spoil?

The texture change is a physical property of the fat and does not cause spoilage or reduce the product's effectiveness. The grit typically melts away upon contact with warm skin or can be reset once received.

How do I fix the texture?

Thankfully you can easily fix the texture once it arrives. There’s a few ways to go about this but the gist is melting it completely down, giving a mix, and placing in the freezer until it fully solidifies.

Method 1: placing the sealed jar into hot water until it completely melts. Once it’s fully melted give it a mix and place it in the freezer. Please avoid getting water into the jar as that will compromise the balms shelf stability.

Method 2: the double boiler method. This method you would place the sealed jar in a pot and fill to the half way mark with water. Then you’d put it on the stove on low heat until the balm completely melts, once melted give it a mix and place in the freezer to solidify.

These methods should restore the texture of the balm to its original state.