Description
Grass-Fed Mutton Chops
Sheep farmers generally agree that shoulder of mutton is from sheep that are over 2 years old, whereas lamb is from animals that have been reared for 5 months. The extra age of mutton gives it a dark colour and extra fat producing a sought after characteristic flavour that is richer than lamb.
Mutton chops were a household staple for hundreds of years, considered superior in texture and flavour to lamb.
Changes in farming and cooking led to mutton’s decline and for the last 50 years mutton has almost disappeared from our shops and restaurants. But with the help of the The Mutton Renaissance campaign supported by the Prince of Wales and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, this delicious, great value meat is finding its way back into British kitchens.
We believe our mutton is truly outstanding. From native breed flocks that have been purely grass-fed on lush, natural pastures rich in wild grasses, flowers and herbs to produce a rich, full flavour, our free-range mutton is sourced from small, local, family run farms in Dorset and Wiltshire with the highest standards of animal welfare.
We believe strongly that small-scale farming is better for the farmer, the animal, the local ecology, and for you, producing exceptionally tasting, ethically reared meat that you can trust completely.
Why Mutton Loin Chops Deserve A Place on the Menu
In the supermarkets you will be hard pressed to find mutton stacked on the shelves. This might make you think that only young lambs are suitable for eating but the truth is that mutton has simply been forgotten as a result of misunderstanding and a bit of bad PR over the years. Thankfully, you can buy mutton chops online right here at the Dorset Meat Company where quality, sustainability and animal welfare is assured.
Mutton offers all the benefits of lamb but, due to its age, it has had time to develop a richer flavour than its younger counterpart. This means that a mutton chop is great for those dishes where you need the meat to hold its own against a punchy sauce or strong accompanying flavours.
Although lamb became more popular in the 20th century because sheep were reared and sold quickly to maximise profit, there’s no gastronomical reason why mutton doesn’t still deserve a place on your dinner table. In fact, serving up mutton is important for the sustainability of farms because if people refuse to eat more mature sheep the meat ultimately goes to waste.
We recommend swapping out lamb for mutton loin chops next time you decide to make a tagine, curry or even when you want to use a meat that will handle a bold dry rub on the barbecue.
To ensure the quality and flavour of our mutton, our mutton is free range and grass-fed. After slaughter our mutton is hung on the bone for several days to maximise the richness of the meat and ensure that when it hits your pan, griddle or grill, it won’t disappoint.
If you have never had the opportunity to buy mutton chops before then now is the perfect opportunity.