Shopping for meat might be your favorite activity but it can get a bit difficult if you are not aware of how to buy the best one. When you go for buying red meat you tend to get the bright red looking and nice pieces of meat from the shelf. But do you know the purple one is the fresh meat? Most of the time the meat reacts with oxygen to form the blood-red color. Most of you might know not all these facts about red meat. Hence you end up choosing the wrong type or not so fresh meat every time. Here is the guide that will help you to purchase the right meat.
Table of Contents
Look for the color of the meat
The right color of the meat depends upon the type of meat that you buy. Red meat is supposed to be darker in color which can vary between red, purple, and brown. The brown color shows that the meat has been exposed to oxygen. Hence it is safe to eat. According to the meat wholesalers Melbourne It is advised to choose the pork meat which is in light blushing pink color and the game meat in dark brown color. The diet of the poultry also affects the color of the meat. The color of fresh poultry can range from blue-white to yellow.
Look for the smell
Most meat-eaters do not like the smell of the meat. They find the aroma of the meat to be difficult to judge whether the meat is fresh or has been spoiled. The smell of meat tells you about its freshness. If the smell is pungent or something like rotten flesh then it is advised not to pick it.
Check for the clean cuts
You can also check the quality of the meat by the way it is butchered. You can always look for smooth cuts which are sized in uniform shapes. Try to stay away from the jagged-edged meat. You need to take care of this especially while buying the poultry. Lower-grade poultries are never butchered properly. They do not take precautions while removing the bones and joints. If you do not like the smaller bones in the meat then make sure to get the higher-grade cuts.
Check the meat surface
You will always notice fibers on the meat surface. The grain of the fibers lets you know about the tenderness or toughness of the meat. The coarse meat with grains that comes with visible muscle fibers is known as the tough meat which gives a lot of flavors. You can choose these cuts for slow and low cooking purposes. You can always notice the lack of such grains when you buy the beef tenderloin. This type of meat tends to become tender while cooking.
Check the meat fat
The meat with streaks of fat and white flecks distributed throughout the muscle tends to be more tender and juicer. This type of fat is known as marbling. The finer the marbling the tastier will be the meat. Wagyu meat is known to be the most expensive one due to its marbling. It is more tender and testier as compared to the other types of meat. Generally, these types of meat come with a higher price tag.
Check the meat texture
It is advised to get the beef meat which is firm in texture which is dry, firm, and dense. Make sure the muscle fibers are uniform and tightly packed. The meat tends to fall apart due to poor quality or poor way of handling. Make sure the poultry meat is dry and firm. Try to stay away from the meat if it is sticky or slimy. This is applicable for lamb, beef, or pork.
Check the sell-by date
Best before dates mentioned on the package indicates the quality of the food than the safety precaution. Here the manufacturers tell you about the product and its optimum freshness before a certain date. Post that dates the food items still can be consumed but it depends on the consumer whether he wishes to eat or not.
