What is the Difference Between Broth and Consomme

Broth and consommé are both types of liquids we use in cooking. Although they look similar at first glance, they are not the same. They have unique textures, looks, and uses in the kitchen.

What is the difference between broth and consomme? Broth is a simple but flavorful liquid made by simmering meat, bones, and vegetables, whereas consommé is a clear soup made by clarifying broth.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Broth  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Consomme
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Broth and Consomme
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Broth and Consomme
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Broth and Consomme
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Broth, Consomme

What is Broth

Broth is a flavorful liquid we make by simmering uncooked meat or fish, vegetables, and seasonings in water. It’s simple to make. You start by boiling everything together on the stove. Then lower the heat and let it simmer gently for a few hours, usually up to four. As it cooks, you should skim off anything that rises to the top to keep the broth clear.

Using bone-in, skin-on cuts of meat, like chicken or beef, gives a good flavor because they release extra flavor as they cook. You can also use vegetables and herbs like carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, parsley, and peppercorns. Some people also use herbs like rosemary or sage. You can toss the herbs directly into the pot or wrap them in cheesecloth or a large tea bag to make them easier to remove later.

Generally, two quarts of water will give you around six cups of broth. Once the broth is done, you can strain out the meat, bones, and vegetables. Your broth can now be used as a base for soups like chicken noodle soup or to make gravy for dishes like roast dinners.

What is Consomme

Consommé is a clear, flavorful soup made by carefully clarifying rich stock or broth. It’s most often made from beef or veal. But some people also make it with chicken, fish, or game, especially in French cooking. You can enjoy consommé on its own, either hot or cold. If not, you can use it as a base for soups, sauces, or stews.

What makes consommé special is its clarity. To get this clear result, chefs use a process called clarification, which generally relies on egg whites. Sometimes the egg whites are mixed with ground meats, vegetables, and herbs like bay leaves or thyme to create a paste. When this mixture is added to hot stock, the egg whites thicken and trap all the fat and tiny particles, pulling them to the surface. This forms a floating layer called a raft, which works as a natural filter.

A small hole is often made in the center of the raft to let steam escape without breaking it. Once the clarification is done, what’s left is a pure, clear, and richly flavored consommé.

You can serve consommé as a light meal or appetizer. Some people like to add diced vegetables, spices, or small pasta at the end. Traditionally, consommé can be enjoyed with a spoon or sipped like a warm drink.

Similarities Between Broth and Consomme

1. Both use meat, bones, vegetables, and seasonings.
2. They are liquid-based and used in cooking or served as a soup.
3. Moreover, both can be made from chicken, beef, fish, or other meats.

Difference Between Broth and Consomme

Definition

• Broth is a flavorful liquid made by simmering meat, bones, and vegetables in water and is often used as a base for soups, stews, or sauces, while consommé is a clear, richly flavored soup made by clarifying broth using egg whites to remove fat and impurities.

Preparation

• Broth is made by simmering uncooked meat, bones, and vegetables in water for a few hours, whereas consommé is made by taking broth or stock and clarifying it with egg whites and sometimes ground meat and herbs to create a pure, refined soup.

Clarity

• Broth is usually cloudy, whereas consommé is clear and clean-looking.

Flavor

• Broth has a mild, light flavor while consommé has a rich, concentrated flavor.

FAQ: Broth and Consomme

1. Is consommé better than broth?

Consommé isn’t really better than broth. It’s just different. Consommé is clearer and has a stronger flavor, whereas broth is simpler and more common for everyday cooking.

2. What is consommé used for?

You can use consommé as a clear, flavorful soup on its own or as a base for sauces, soups, and special dishes. You can also serve it as a light starter or appetizer.

3. Can I substitute broth for consommé?

Yes, you can substitute broth for consommé, but broth is less clear and has a milder flavor, so the dish may taste or look a little different.

4. What’s the difference between chicken broth and chicken consommé?

The difference is that chicken broth is a simple, cloudy soup made by simmering chicken, while chicken consommé is a clear, richer soup made by clarifying chicken broth to remove fat and impurities.

Reference:

1. “Broth.” Wikipedia. Wikpedia Foundation.

2. “Consomme.” Wikipedia. Wikpedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bruehe-1” By User:Rainer Zenz – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Chicken broth soup” By E4024 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia