Qualities You Need To Look For When Buying Meat
There may have been many instances when you have stood looking at a meat display at the butcher wondering if that’s fresh? How would you know? The color looks bright and the butcher swears by its freshness. You are no expert yourself but somehow you feel it doesn’t look right. What could it be?
If this incident relates to you, then read along. We have given some basic guidelines that will help the most novice meat buyer pick a perfect rack of ribs!
Pay Attention to the Color, Smell, and Texture
Fresh meat is not bright red but purplish. When the meat is exposed to air, it reacts to oxygen and appears red. As for the smell, it is not hard to tell if the raw meat is fresh or old. Any meat that smells pungent or rotten is not good for consumption. If red meat looks like it’s falling apart and is not firm, then it could be of poor quality. Poultry meat too shouldn’t be sticky or slimy but firm and dry. To make it short, for any slimy meat, then it’s best to stay away from it.
Check The Meat Surface and Fat On It
Meat fibres are easily visible on meats. The ones with coarse grains of fiber are tough but full of flavor. These are best for slow-cooking meals. Lack of fiber meats is often tender when cooked. As for the fat on the meat, when you notice streamlined fat lines throughout the meat cut, they will be more juicy and tender. Many types of meat are priced higher due to their fat lining details.
Check The Dates
Many times we buy meat that is already packed or purchase it online. Well-known meat establishments like Grutto provide a detailed history so you can track right from the farm to the abattoir to the parcel you receive at your house. Best before dates are not indications of spoilt meat but rather a suggestion as to when the optimum freshness of the meat is. Even after the date, it can be consumed provided it has not gone bad as some meats like ground beef can be very risky if consumed after expiry.
Good Packaging and Storage
If the meat packaging shows any first or damage, though it doesn’t mean the meat is spoilt but rather gives you an idea of how it was handled. However, dirt on the packaging can even be an indication that if it was packaged with dirty hands, chances are those same hands were used for packaging it. Also, the storage of meats at their optimal temperature is extremely important. It ensures your meat has been kept bacteria-free and is safe for consumption.
Do a Little More Research
If you are a meat lover and love to even throw dinner parties wherein you serve your favorite meal recipe, it would be more beneficial to research a bit more and watch tutorials on not only how to select the right meat but also instructions on how to cook it. Some very good cut meats can taste terrible to taste if the right cooking techniques are not used.