New Zealand Lamb

burton07 · 10-02-2013, 20:42

Had a half leg of New Zealand lamb for dinner today and it was gorgeous - lean, tasty, tender. In fact, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a taste test.

Years ago NZ lamb was inferior to English lamb and was always slightly cheaper. It would always be frozen and a bit tougher and less tasty than English lamb.

These days I guess the meat is flown here without being frozen and the results are as good as English lamb.

Muze · 10-02-2013, 20:46

I don't even buy it for my dog. It's largely Halal slaughtered and there have been serious issues with live exports etc.

If you'd rather it taste nice than be ethically reared and slaughtered then I guess that's your choice.

degsyhufc · 10-02-2013, 21:24

If you can't tell the difference then why not buy British. It would probably not have been frozen, less food miles and help the British industry.

Summat · 11-02-2013, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by burton07

These days I guess the meat is flown here without being frozen and the results are as good as English lamb.

Chilled, as sea freight. Lamb (and other cattle) keeps remarkably well if chilled.

earthling13 · 11-02-2013, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by degsyhufc

If you can't tell the difference then why not buy British. It would probably not have been frozen, less food miles and help the British industry.

Seasonal. British lamb in the shops in a few weeks.

molliepops · 11-02-2013, 07:46

Have to agree with muze it will be halal slaughtered meat not something I would want to buy.

indianwells · 11-02-2013, 09:20

I find British lamb to have a bit more fat but that brings a better flavour imo. I tend to try and buy all my meat from local sources to support our farmers.

ecco66 · 12-02-2013, 06:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by indianwells

I find British lamb to have a bit more fat but that brings a better flavour imo. I tend to try and buy all my meat from local sources to support our farmers.

Me too. The lamb I've had whilst actually in New Zealand has always been of far better quality than their exported lamb in the UK. I was there just last month and had the most superb roast lamb dinner.

JulesF · 12-02-2013, 10:23

I stopped buying New Zealand lamb some time ago. Would much rather buy British free-range in season. It's not just the ethical concerns - the last few times I bought NZ lamb it was disgusting, with a weird fishy taste that I gather comes from the vile fish by-products used by some to fertilise pastures. Yuck!

Of course, I'm sure this isn't true of all NZ lamb - just the cheap stuff exported to our supermarkets. Not going there again.

10-02-2013, 20:42	#1
burton07 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sitting at my PC Posts: 9,434	New Zealand Lamb Had a half leg of New Zealand lamb for dinner today and it was gorgeous - lean, tasty, tender. In fact, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a taste test. Years ago NZ lamb was inferior to English lamb and was always slightly cheaper. It would always be frozen and a bit tougher and less tasty than English lamb. These days I guess the meat is flown here without being frozen and the results are as good as English lamb.

10-02-2013, 20:46	#2
Muze Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2,161	I don't even buy it for my dog. It's largely Halal slaughtered and there have been serious issues with live exports etc. If you'd rather it taste nice than be ethically reared and slaughtered then I guess that's your choice.

10-02-2013, 21:24	#3
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	If you can't tell the difference then why not buy British. It would probably not have been frozen, less food miles and help the British industry.

11-02-2013, 07:12	#4
Summat Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancashire Posts: 507	Quote: Originally Posted by burton07 These days I guess the meat is flown here without being frozen and the results are as good as English lamb. Chilled, as sea freight. Lamb (and other cattle) keeps remarkably well if chilled.

11-02-2013, 07:46	#5
earthling13 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,268	Quote: Originally Posted by degsyhufc If you can't tell the difference then why not buy British. It would probably not have been frozen, less food miles and help the British industry. Seasonal. British lamb in the shops in a few weeks.

11-02-2013, 07:46	#6
molliepops Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: woking Posts: 21,678	Have to agree with muze it will be halal slaughtered meat not something I would want to buy.

11-02-2013, 09:20	#7
indianwells Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 12,236	I find British lamb to have a bit more fat but that brings a better flavour imo. I tend to try and buy all my meat from local sources to support our farmers.

12-02-2013, 06:44	#8
ecco66 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: south east coast Posts: 15,717	Quote: Originally Posted by indianwells I find British lamb to have a bit more fat but that brings a better flavour imo. I tend to try and buy all my meat from local sources to support our farmers. Me too. The lamb I've had whilst actually in New Zealand has always been of far better quality than their exported lamb in the UK. I was there just last month and had the most superb roast lamb dinner.

12-02-2013, 10:23	#9
JulesF Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,103	I stopped buying New Zealand lamb some time ago. Would much rather buy British free-range in season. It's not just the ethical concerns - the last few times I bought NZ lamb it was disgusting, with a weird fishy taste that I gather comes from the vile fish by-products used by some to fertilise pastures. Yuck! Of course, I'm sure this isn't true of all NZ lamb - just the cheap stuff exported to our supermarkets. Not going there again.

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New Zealand Lamb