We all love eating. There are no if's 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.
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.
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
Cooking 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.
Which one is healthier?
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.
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FAQs
Goat is a completely different animal species i.e. Capra hircus while Lamb and Mutton come from Sheep i.e. Ovis aries. In terms of tenderness and taste, Goat and Mutton do have similar traits of being tougher and more gamey whereas Lamb has a much more refined taste and softer mouthfeel.
How to tell the difference between Lamb and Mutton? ›
Younger lambs are smaller and more tender. Mutton is meat from a sheep over two years old, and has less tender flesh. In general, the darker the colour, the older the animal.
What is the difference between lamb mutton and chevon? ›
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. 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.
What is the major difference between sheep and goats? ›
A main difference between the two is how they forage. Sheep are grazers; they ramble slowly eating short plants close to the ground. Goats are browsers; they look for leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. And their agility and climbing ability allows them to attain charming positions in pursuit of their forage.
Why is mutton better than lamb? ›
Mutton is the lamb grown up It is now over 12 months old and has been eating the pastures for this time allowing it to mature. The meat is slightly more chewy than lamb due to the muscles all maturing together and there is a much fuller flavour in the meat due to all the good food it has eaten over its lifetime.
Is goat meat called mutton? ›
Goat meat is the meat of the domestic goat (Capra hircus). 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 refers to goat meat.
Which tastes better lamb or mutton? ›
Because Americans prefer the more delicate taste of lamb, it is more expensive than mutton and much easier to find in regular markets.
Which mutton is good lamb or goat? ›
Goat has lower fat content than lamb meat, which may be ideal for people concerned about consuming too much fat. Goat meat is tougher; hence, it is excellent for slow cooking such as braising, smoking or roasting. Goat meat has more protein and calories than lamb or mutton and is believed to be healthier and better.
What is goat meat called in the USA? ›
Goat meat is called either cabrito or chevon. Cabrito is from kids harvested within the first week of birth. Chevron is from older kids. Goat meat is leaner than poultry and other red meats, low in fat and cholesterol and is a source of conjugated linoleic acid.
What is the tastiest part of the mutton? ›
With a bone-in mutton shoulder, the marrow will add maximum flavour. This is the cut for you when you have a few hours to spare. The leg is a slightly leaner cut than shoulder, but still full of flavour due to being another hard working muscle.
The loin is a premium goat meat cut known for its tenderness and mild flavor. It is best suited for quick cooking methods such as pan-searing, grilling, or broiling. Loin chops are popular and can be cooked to medium-rare or medium for optimal juiciness and flavor.
What is horse meat called? ›
Proponents of horse meat often refer to it as chevaline. Compared to beef, horse meat contains similar levels of protein and much lower fat levels.
What are 5 differences between sheep and goats? ›
Genetic differences between sheep and goats
Sheep tails hang downwards, whereas goat tails are erect. Goats have beards while sheep do not, and sheep have a divided upper lip (a philtrum) that has evolved to make grass selection during grazing more efficient.
What is a female goat called? ›
Goats live in groups called herds. A male goat is referred to as either a "buck"or a "billy" goat. Female goats are called "does" or "nanny" goats. Baby goats are referred to as "kids." For more information, go to Goat from Farm to Table.
Is a ram a sheep or a goat? ›
Male sheep are called rams, the females ewes, and immature animals lambs. Mature sheep weigh from about 35 to as much as 180 kg (80 to 400 pounds).
What is goat meat called in Mexico? ›
“Birria (México City), Goat Barbacoa, or roasted goat. Mexican linguist and philologist, Francisco J. Santamaría, also defined the term as being another name for barbacoa in his —Diccionario de Mejicanismos (1959): “Birria, f.
Which part of goat meat is best? ›
Rack: The most well-known part that continues on from the shoulder. Tender meat, with bones and less fat than the shoulder. The rack with the chops connected is ideal for roasting or pot roast. Loin: This cut is found along the back of the animal, from the 6th to the 12th vertebrae.
