Eat-Well Today Lamb - It's "BAAAAHD" To The Bone

We knew so little about lamb when we started Eat-Well it became a joke around the office that we were BAAAAHD meat-men! First of all, Lamb is very versatile you can grill it, broil it, braise it, sauté it, stir fry it, stew it oh and roast it! There is a huge difference in Domestic and Imported Lamb and the grading system is different by region and country. We needed a handbook to go shopping but you will not. Read the whole story for more information.

The Facts

Lamb is a very small industry in the US. Domestic lamb can be 2 or 3 times more expensive than Australian. Lamb is very subjective like sea food. People love it or hate it. Some swear by domestic lamb others love Australian lamb. Both countries raise sheep primarily on smaller family owned farms. Both countries subscribe to the clean all natural method of farming, minimal processing and no antibiotic, steroids or hormones are used. Both countries raise sheep in pastures eating an all vegetarian diet. The primary differences are in the breed and the feed. Domestic sheep are a larger breed and their diets are supplemented with grain, making the meat tender and sweeter thus less gamey. The Aussies have a smaller breed and strictly grass feed their flocks. The breed is smaller and the fact they roam on large parcels of land eating grass they are a little tougher and gamey. 20 years ago Australian lamb was not so good. Down under lamb was raised for wool not dinner. They bred with American sheep creating a much more edible sheep. After 20 years Australian lamb is respected by chefs and foodies word-wide.

Eat-Well Today sources primarily Domestic Lamb. If you prefer Aussie lamb give us a call and we’ll bring it in special order. Sometimes we bring in Aussie lamb because the price point and quality meet or exceed our expectations. If you like a great chop or marvelous Frenched Rack of Lamb healthy quick and easy you can’t beat our Lamb.

Lamb from each region has its own distinguishing characteristics including flavor, size and price. What are the differences then?

American Lamb

American lamb is just that, it has been raised in the U.S. Most quality American lamb comes from Colorado and the Midwestern States and is grain fed. This breed is the largest in size and many say is the highest in quality and consistency. Ethnic slaughterhouses prefer smaller thinner sheep for their holiday kill. So if you are purchasing Lamb it’s good to know where and what kind of Lamb you are buying because the taste and texture will vary vastly in some cases.

American lamb has grain in its diet and thus tastes less “gamey” compared to imported lamb which is typically grass fed. It is also the most expensive available. American lamb is very sensitive to market conditions which make availability and size variable. Lamb farming is a small industry in the U.S. which is why supply and demand is a major issue. Today there is a small push for Australian Lamb because of the whole “grass-fed” movement started in the beef industry. But Australian and New Zealand lamb can be hit or miss when it comes to consistent flavor and texture plus it can be “gamey”, which a lot of lamb eaters like. Like we said “subjective”.

Australian Lamb

“Aussie” lamb has become a very popular item today. It has been cross-bred with American lamb to create a larger more consistent product. Not too many years ago Aussie lamb was very undesirable. The lambs were raised primarily for their wool and the meat was almost a by-product of that industry. This meant a very inconsistent product in size and quality.

Today Aussie lamb is also raised for consumption to a specific size and weight which produces a quality product that is less expensive than American domestic lamb. It is of a medium size and resembles that of American lamb the most.

New Zealand Lamb

New Zealand has long produced lamb for its wool industry. This breed is of small stature and many believe is of the least quality compared to American and Australian lamb. Consequently it is also the least expensive lamb. Many customers use this product because of its attractive cost and consistent sizing. When compared to American and Aussie lamb, the price is right. This is not to say it doesn’t perform well on the palate or in the kitchen. Preparation has a lot to do with how Lamb tastes.

Eat-Well Today carries both Domestic and Australian Lamb but the majority of our lamb is domestic. Quality then price is our main concern but if you have a clear preference then call or email us and we will source it for you at market prices. Sometimes we cannot justify the price point on one or the other, usually domestic goes through the roof and the Australian tastes excellent so we make that decision seasonally.