How Denver Bone Broth Crafted Its New Classic Buffalo Flavor

The Birth of the New Classic Buffalo Flavor

At Denver Bone Broth, we believe in constantly innovating while staying true to our roots. About a year ago, we felt it was time to introduce a new flavor that would reflect our commitment to clean ingredients and delicious, culinary-inspired bone broths. The challenge was to find a flavor that not only tasted great but also resonated with our Colorado heritage.

Patrick, our owner and CEO, and Bridgit, our production manager, began brainstorming ideas. They knew the new flavor needed to be unique yet complementary to our existing line of chicken, beef, and veggie broths. "We wanted to do something more Colorado-based," Bridgit said.

The team considered various options, weighing the pros and cons of each. They wanted a flavor that would stand out, something that would excite both new and loyal customers. The new broth needed to be versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own as a sipping broth but also have a rich, complex flavor profile that would fit seamlessly into our product lineup.

Eventually, buffalo emerged as a top contender. "Thinking about what people here love to eat and drink, buffalo really just kind of jumped off the radar for us," Patrick explained. The decision felt right—buffalo is deeply rooted in Colorado's culinary traditions and offers a rich, hearty flavor that would make our new bone broth special.

Finding the Perfect Buffalo Supplier

Once the decision was made to go with buffalo, the next step was to find a supplier that aligned with our values of clean ingredients and sustainable practices. We didn’t just want any buffalo bones; we wanted the highest quality ingredients from partners who shared our commitment to ethical and sustainable farming.

The team soon connected with Anderson Meat Processing, a family-owned company known for their dedication to quality and sustainability. "The initial conversations with them about the quality of the bones they process and who they source from were very encouraging," Patrick noted.

Anderson Meat Processing introduced us to Wild Idea Buffalo, a ranch committed to regenerative farming practices. Wild Idea’s buffalo are grass-fed and grass-finished, roaming freely on the prairie, which not only ensures the highest quality meat but also supports environmental sustainability. "We were impressed with them," Patrick said.

Now that we had buffalo bones, the next step was to develop the perfect flavor profile that would make our Classic Buffalo bone broth a true reflection of Colorado.

Testing Buffalo Flavors and Recipes

With a supply of buffalo, the hard work began: testing and refining the flavors and recipes for our Classic Buffalo bone broth. 

"We started with several recipe concepts," Bridgit explained. "We tried buffalo with porcini mushroom, buffalo with sage, and buffalo with green chili." Each recipe was sampled with friends and family of the business first to ensure we achieved the perfect balance of flavors. Then, the 3 recipes were sampled with strangers.

The feedback from these taste tests was invaluable. "We found that while all three flavors were well-received, the buffalo with green chili stood out," Patrick noted. "It sparked conversations and intrigued our testers." 

We began sourcing our green chilies from Rocky Mountain Kitchen who supply us with green chiles grown by a local HACCP certified farmer in Southern Colorado.

However, refining the recipe was not without its challenges. "Balancing the heat of the green chili with the rich flavor of buffalo was tricky," Bridgit admitted. "We wanted the heat to complement, not overpower."

Through perseverance and multiple iterations, the team finally achieved the perfect recipe. When it was time for the first cook, there was a lot of anticipation. Bridgit said, “I didn't sleep the night before because I was just worried about so many things. But as soon as I tasted it, I felt a sense of relief.” When he tried the final product, Patrick said he felt “excited and proud that the team was able to accomplish this in a short period of time.”

The Final Product: Introducing Classic Buffalo Bone Broth

After months of recipe development and testing, we released our newest flavor: Classic Buffalo Bone Broth, made with grass-fed and grass-finished buffalo bones. This moment marked the culmination of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to bringing our customers something truly special.

If you haven’t tried it yet, here is how we would describe the flavor, based on each “hero” ingredient:

• Buffalo Bones and Meat: Provides a rich, meaty flavor that forms the foundation of our Classic Buffalo Bone Broth.
• Green Chilies: Adds a distinctive Colorado flair with its tangy and slightly spicy notes, balancing the richness of the buffalo meat while enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Toasted Cumin Seeds: Brings warmth and earthiness to the broth, complementing the buffalo and green chilies. They are toasted to make them more flavorful.

Creating the Classic Buffalo bone broth was a labor of love and dedication from the entire Denver Bone Broth team, showing our commitment to quality and authentic Colorado flavors. Try it today and experience the delicious flavors for yourself! Click here to order it online.