Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (2024)

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01/6Mutton vs Lamb: Which one is healthier?

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (1)Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (2)

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We all love eating. There are no ifs or buts to that statement. Our love for food is so outreaching that we often don’t even know the contents of our food. Take for example two globally popular meat dishes, lamb and mutton. We know for a fact that they are two different types of meat, but how many of us really know which one comes from where? Well, lamb comes from sheep, while mutton comes from goat, right? Wrong.

The truth is that both lamb and mutton are meats obtained from sheep.The Oxford dictionary defines lamb as ‘a young sheep’, or ‘meat from a young sheep’, while mutton is defined as ‘meat from a fully grown sheep’. Meat from a sheep between the ages of one month and one year is served as lamb, while sheep older that one year is served as mutton.

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02/6Meat in India

People, especially in India, have often associated lamb with meat from sheep, and mutton with meat from goat. Meat from goat is actually called chevon. However, don’t beat yourself up over being mistaken about the jargon of meat, as things work a little differently in India. Here, the word mutton is used interchangeably between sheep and goat, but since Indians mostly consume goat, it is the widely accepted term for goat meat. Since we hardly eat sheep, you will seldom be given meat from a sheep if you walk into a butcher’s shop and ask for mutton. Therefore it is not completely wrong to refer to goat meat as mutton.readmore

03/6Difference between lamb and mutton

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (6)

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (7)Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (8)

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Most of the differences between lamb and mutton stem from the age of the animal. Now that we are clear about the vernaculars, let’s learn about some other basic differences between lamb and mutton.

Flavour
Lamb: mild and delicate
Mutton: rich and bold

Colour
Lamb: tender pink to pale red
Mutton: deep red

Texture
Lamb: tender
Mutton: firm

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04/6Cooking methods

There are three popular methods used for cooking lamb - grilling, braising, and roasting. Grilling is preparing the meat over hot coal, and is most suitable for making burgers or lamb chops. In braising, the meat is first browned in fat and then put in a covered utensil with a small amount of liquid. It can be done on a stove or oven. This method is most suitable for tougher cuts like the shoulder. Roasting is cooking the meat uncovered, which makes the outside of the meat brown and the interior moist. This method is most suitable for tender cuts like the rack of the leg.
The most popular method to prepare mutton is to slow cook, or stew it. Since mutton is a tougher meat with more fat, slow cooking methods like stew tenderizes the meat and brings out the flavour.
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05/6Which one is healthier?

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (12)

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (13)Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (14)

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Mutton and lamb are highly nutritious, with both providing a high amount of protein. However, mutton contains a higher fat content as compared to lamb. Consuming high fat foods regularly can be detrimental as it builds up cholesterol in the arteries which can lead to heart diseases. Although mutton is a more popular dish than lamb because of its preferred strong flavour, lamb is a healthier choice, although both should be consumed in moderation for optimum health.readmore

06/6Meat from sheep vs meat from goat

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (15)

Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (16)Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (17)

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When we talk about meat from goat, we are talking about a more popular and more healthy meat. While lamb is more popular in North America and mutton is more popular in Europe and the Middle East, meat from goat is not favourable in any particular geographical location. Most countries in the world consume goat meat, which makes it one of the most popular meats.
Goat meat is also significantly healthier than sheep meat. It contains lesser calories, saturated fats, and cholesterol than not only sheep meat, but also than chicken. It also contains more protein and iron than sheep, making it a more beneficial meat choice.
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Where do lamb and mutton come from? | The Times of India (18)

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Where do lamb and mutton come from?  | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Where do lamb and mutton come from? ›

Lamb is meat from a young sheep, usually under a year to eighteen months old, while mutton comes from an older sheep, often three years old or more.

Where does mutton come from in India? ›

In South Asian or Caribbean cuisine, mutton refers to the meat of goats. In India however, we often refer to both sheep and goat meat as mutton. Let's look at the benefits of this meat; the difference between goat and lamb meat, and find interesting ways to cook goat meat.

Where did the lamb come from? ›

Meat from sheep, referred to as lamb from animals up to twelve months old and mutton thereafter, has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. Sheep were first domesticated in Mesopotamia, approximately 10 000 years ago. The animal was soon adopted in Central Asia, Africa and Europe.

Is lamb and mutton same in India? ›

In some parts of the world, mutton and lamb refer to the meat that comes from sheep, the only difference being age. So, mutton is obtained from older sheep, while lamb meat is from young sheep. In other parts of the globe, mutton refers to goat meat.

Is mutton goat or lamb in India? ›

The term "mutton" is applied to goat meat in most countries on the Indian subcontinent, and the goat population has been rising.

Where does mutton meat come from? ›

Mutton is the meat of mature sheep, harvested between 2 to 3 years of age to produce mutton cuts.

At what age are lambs slaughtered? ›

Slaughter. Most lambs/sheep are slaughtered at 10 weeks to 6 months, though some may be 14 months old. Find out about some of the key welfare issues for sheep.

Which part of mutton is best in India? ›

Shoulder: The shoulder cut is highly recommended for making mutton curry [2]. It is known for its rich flavor and tender texture, which makes it perfect for slow cooking. The shoulder cut is bone-in, which adds depth and richness to the curry gravy. Leg: Another popular choice for mutton curry is the leg cut [1].

Is Indian mutton healthy? ›

Mutton is a highly nutritious food due to its high protein content and diverse range of vitamins and minerals. This red meat is a delicious and nutritious complement to your normal diet. People adding mutton to their diets would know that it is delicious for their taste buds yet nutritious as well.

Is Jesus the lamb in the Bible? ›

The title Lamb of God for Jesus appears in the Gospel of John, with the initial proclamation: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" in John 1:29, the title reaffirmed the next day in John 1:36.

Is Jesus or God the lamb? ›

Jesus is called the lamb of God because he is the perfect sacrifice offered to God.

Was Jesus called the lamb? ›

All these things point to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, and to why He is called the Lamb. “And crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! '” (Revelation 7:10). Jesus is The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!

Why is mutton cheaper than lamb? ›

Lamb is the meat of a sheep that is less than 1 year old. It is a lean, tender meat with a pink or pale red colour, and is usually more expensive than mutton. Lamb that has been slaughtered before it is 3 months old is referred to as spring lamb, and is extra tender, but with a very mild flavour.

Which is tastier lamb or goat? ›

Goat is much tastier and delicious than sheep meat.

Can you eat mutton in India? ›

Sheep meat, also known as mutton, is consumed more in south India. Some regions prefer beef, or rather buff (meat of water buffaloes). Coastal regions prefer fish and seafood.

Is mutton a goat or lamb? ›

The common name for goat meat is simply "goat meat", while meat from young goats can be called "kid meat", capretto (Italian), and cabrito (Spanish and Portuguese). In South Asian cuisine, mutton is goat meat. In South Asia, where mutton dishes are popular, mutton is goat meat.

Is a lamb a sheep or goat? ›

Sheep A baby sheep is called a lamb. A ewe can have a single lamb or twins. Triplets sometimes occur. Goats A baby goat is called a kid.

Is lamb actually lamb or sheep? ›

lamb, live sheep before the age of one year and the flesh of such an animal. Mutton refers to the flesh of the mature ram or ewe at least one year old; the meat of sheep between 12 and 20 months old may be called yearling mutton.

What animal is mutton? ›

What Is Mutton? Mutton is the meat of a mature adult sheep, typically between two and three years old. Producers can harvest mutton from a ewe (female) or wether (castrated male). Since the animal is older, it contains more fat and muscle, resulting in a stronger flavor and denser, tougher texture.

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