Food is one of the most important things for living beings as it provides them with energy, promotes development, stimulates growth and maintains life in general. That’s why it is crucial that people follow a well-balanced diet so they can receive all the necessary nutrients to live a healthy life.
For example, protein is a food group that plays a crucial role in this. It mainly consists of lean meats which come in many types, all consisting of numerous vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that enhance your health. Some of the most essential ones include iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin B and B12.
Because of the various health benefits meat provides people, it is advised that you always buy high-quality meat cuts. However, choosing the best one often poses a challenge for many. So, if you need help with this, read on to find out what you should look for when buying meat.
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Seek knowledgeable butchers
When buying meat, the first and most obvious option is to go straight to a butcher’s shop. If you have never shopped in one, type “best butcher shop near me” in your browser and find a reputable store that sells high-quality meat cuts.
Such stores usually hire knowledgeable butchers who know how to handle meat properly. They are well informed about where the meat comes from and know how to whole-butcher it the right way so all nutrients are kept. The butchers can also walk you through a recipe or a technique on how you can prepare your meat.
Inspect the color and smell of the meat
Another thing you should look for when buying meat is the color and smell of the cuts. They are often considered the main factors that determine whether you are purchasing high-quality and fresh meat or not.
The right color of the meat mainly depends on the type you are buying. For example, red meat is usually darker in color and can vary between purple, red and brown. As for pork meat, it should always be a light blushing pink color.
The smell also says a lot about the freshness and should always be the one of normal raw meat.
Look at the packaging
The packaging also plays a major role in determining the freshness of the meat. If you buy fresh meat from a butcher’s shop, the chances are you will get it wrapped in a special meat packaging paper that will keep the color, smell, and texture of the cuts.
On other hand, if you buy meat from a supermarket, it will usually be packaged using a stretchable plastic meat film coupled with a bottom foam tray. In case you notice the package is damaged or has dirty marks on it, it is possible the meat was handled and wrapped wrong.
Read the info on the label
When you are buying meat that is packaged using a stretchable plastic meat film and foam tray, you should always read the information that is on the label. The labels usually include the general meat characteristics such as the type, the weight, price per pound as well as the total price of the meat cut.
Other information that also determines the freshness of the meat is the sell-by date, use-by date, the location where the meat came from, and any safe handling instructions. You should also look for the inspection stamps which indicate that the meat is fit for human consumption.
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Examine the meat’s surface and texture
The meat’s texture and overall surface are another very important factor you should look for when buying your cuts. Any type of fresh meat should be neither too soft nor too tough. You can check this by simply poking the meat to see if it bounces back to its original shape after being slowly pressed. In fact, when you touch it, your fingers should remain dry instead of sticky.
Also, the meat cuts shouldn’t appear translucent and watery when they are cut. The fat shouldn’t be yellow in color because that is an indication that the meat isn’t fresh.
Final thoughts
No matter if you are buying beef, pork, or lamb, you should know how to choose the best meat cut. Reading the information on the labels, checking the color, smell and texture are just some of the main things you should look for when purchasing meat for your next meal. This way you will ensure that you are getting high-quality meat from which you will be able to get all necessary nutrients.
In case you need help, be sure to refer back to our post and follow the tips here to assist you in buying meat.