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Author Topic: how old can mutton be?  (Read 4940 times)

Hillview Farm

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Surrey
  • Proud owner of sheep and Llamas!
how old can mutton be?
« on: April 22, 2015, 07:22:56 am »
Can an older barren ewe (5 years old) be eaten as mutton?  Or would it be too chewy. Obviously long and slow cooking would be in order :)

mowhaugh

  • Joined Jul 2013
  • Scottish Borders
    • Facebook
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2015, 08:41:25 am »
Yes, as long as you cook it right.  Would probably have too much flavour for me, but my husband would love it!

Foobar

  • Joined Mar 2012
  • South Wales
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2015, 09:34:16 am »
We had a 7 year old ewe year last year .... best thing we've ever tasted, not too strong at all!!!  Hung for 7-10days, and slow cooked ... most yumpious!!  (although after a good hanging it shouldn't be chewy so  you wouldn't necessarily need the long slow cook)

Bramblecot

  • Joined Jul 2008
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2015, 10:00:30 am »
Sent on a 4 year old Shetland ewe at Easter.  Hung for 5 days (would have preferred longer) and the buyer said it was the meat mutton/lamb they had ever eaten, including grilled chops :yum: .  Other joints were slow cooked, not roasted.

trish.farm

  • Joined Feb 2014
  • hampshire
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2015, 10:02:04 am »
I did a 7 year old last year, delicious!!!!

Azzdodd

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2015, 10:12:32 am »
Another vote here for older mutton

Hillview Farm

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Surrey
  • Proud owner of sheep and Llamas!
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2015, 11:09:54 am »
Thanks all  ;)


Hannes

  • Joined Jun 2011
  • Dumfries & Galloway
  • Loch Arthur and their animals
    • Loch Arthur Farms
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2015, 11:29:24 pm »
As one says around here:
Lamb is a good waste of mutton.  :thinking:

Hevxxx99

  • Joined Sep 2012
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2015, 11:54:40 pm »
The best mutton traditionally comes from 5 year old wethers so it shouldn't be too chewy.  Try to have it hung for about a fortnight though if you can.

Mutton is so much nicer than lamb, I completely agree Hannes!

Hillview Farm

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Surrey
  • Proud owner of sheep and Llamas!
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2015, 10:03:55 am »
Even commercial breeds?

Hevxxx99

  • Joined Sep 2012
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2015, 10:36:17 am »
Yes, why not?  :) They mature faster, but I don't think they go over once they've got there.  I hope not anyway: I've got a Texel cross and a Northern Mule simmering away nicely in the field at 4 years old and they're heading for the freezer next spring.  I've certainly had Swaledale ewe that old which was fine (read: delicious) and I'd have thought the tough, hill breeds would have been the chewiest mutton of any. 

I belive it was Mrs Beaton who said about 5 year old wethers and she was talking about improved breeds (albeit not our modern commercial ones) rather than primatives or hill sheep.

Pony-n-trap

  • Joined Jul 2010
  • Aberdeenshire
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #11 on: May 14, 2015, 02:39:53 pm »
We sent a 4yo wether in on Tuesday, will let you know what he tastes like!  ;)

shygirl

  • Joined May 2013
Re: how old can mutton be?
« Reply #12 on: May 14, 2015, 02:43:21 pm »
we shared 4 yr entire rams with the dogs, was surprisingly fine meat.

 

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