Jake Harper
In the context of food and cuisine, beef and lamb are meats derived from cows and sheep, respectively, and are commonly consumed in various dishes worldwide. Chicken and turkey, on the other hand, are meats obtained from birds, specifically chickens and turkeys. While beef and lamb are red meats known for their distinct flavours, chicken and turkey are types of white meat with a milder taste. The preference for these meats varies across different cultures and regions, with some favouring the stronger flavours of beef and lamb, while others opting for the more subtle notes of chicken and turkey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional profile | Beef and lamb are both red meats with high protein and vitamin content. |
| Taste | Lamb has a unique flavour that some may find discouraging if it is not properly prepared. Beef, chicken, and turkey have comparatively milder flavours. |
| Popularity | Chicken, beef, and pork are the most popular meats in the American diet. Lamb is more popular in Europe than in the US. |
| Cultural perception | Americans are less likely to eat lamb due to the perception of lambs as cute, fluffy creatures. Chickens, pigs, and cows are seen as "just livestock". |
| Availability | Lamb is rarely used by itself in Turkish dishes like kebabs, which typically use a mix of lamb and beef. Chicken is more widely available as a kebab option. |
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What You'll Learn
Beef is from cows, domesticated for their meat, milk and leather
Cattle (Bos taurus) are large, domesticated bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. Mature female cattle are called cows, and beef is the culinary name for meat from cows.
Cattle have been domesticated for their meat, milk, and leather. They are also used as draft animals to pull carts and farm implements. In the past, they were even more widely used for ploughing, row planting, and ridging. Cattle are considered sacred in Hinduism and some Indian states have laws against their slaughter.
Beef production has grown substantially over the last 60 years. In the US, the growth of the beef business was initially driven by the expansion into the Southwest after the Mexican-American War of 1848. Later, the expulsion of the Plains Indians from this region and the Midwest led to the taming of Longhorn cattle and the expansion of the American livestock industry. Today, beef is the third most widely consumed meat in the world, after pork and poultry.
Cattle are the most common source of beef, but water buffalo meat is also sometimes labelled and sold as beef. Different breeds of cattle are used for different purposes. For example, Holstein-Friesians are dairy cows, while other breeds are specifically bred for meat production.
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Lamb is from sheep, generally in their first year
Lamb, hogget, and mutton are all types of sheep meat, or sheepmeat, and are some of the most common meats worldwide. Lamb is generally considered to be the meat of a sheep in its first year, although the exact definition varies by country. In the UK, lamb refers to sheep between 11 and 24 months old, while in Australia, the term is used for sheep between 13 and 24 months old. In the United States, the definition of lamb is more specific: "an ovine animal that: (a) is under 12 months of age, or (b) does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear". This definition is similar to the British definition, which states that a lamb has "0 permanent incisor teeth".
The term "lamb" also carries religious connotations. In many religions, lambs were historically used as sacrifices to various gods. To this day, lamb remains a popular menu item for Easter and other holidays. For example, in the Lazio region of Italy, abbacchio, or lamb from recently weaned sheep, is a staple food and is consumed during Easter, Christmas, and other festivals.
The history of lamb as a food source dates back to ancient times. In England, the Cotswold breed, one of the oldest, was introduced by the Romans over 2000 years ago. The breed was later brought to the United States in 1832 and became the first purebred breed registered in the country in 1878.
Lamb is generally the most expensive type of sheep meat and is considered more tender than hogget or mutton. In recent decades, the term "lamb" has been used more broadly in retail to refer to the meat of all sheep less than two years old, sometimes stretching the accepted definitions of lamb, hogget, and mutton.
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Mutton is from older sheep, with tougher, darker meat
Mutton is meat from older sheep over two years old, though some sources state that traditionally, mutton came from sheep that were three or four years old. In Australia, the definition of a lamb is "an ovine animal that: (a) is under 12 months of age, or (b) does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear". This means that mutton comes from sheep older than a year old.
Mutton has a much deeper flavour than lamb, and the meat tends to darken as the sheep ages. The meat from older sheep is tougher and has a lower tenderness, which means that it is often cooked slowly using moist methods such as braising, stewing, or by slow roasting. Mutton is ideal for dishes like curries, stews, tagines, and casseroles, such as Lancashire hotpot.
Mutton is packed with nutrients, including high protein and essential vitamins like B12 and iron. It also tends to have higher saturated fat than beef, especially from older sheep. Mutton is less common than lamb but is prized in many traditional cuisines worldwide for its bold taste and versatility.
Mutton is also significant to the economy, with the American Sheep Industry reporting that sheep producers contributed a total economic impact of $5.8 billion in 2016. The production and sale of mutton offer various benefits, including revenue generation, job creation, and market diversity. However, commercial lamb and mutton production have faced challenges, with production decreasing by 7.5% from the pre-pandemic five-year average.
The environmental impact of mutton production is also notable, as farm-system-wide studies show that it requires extensive grazing, which can lead to soil erosion if not managed well. Additionally, sheep produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and raising older sheep consumes more resources like water and land, making mutton less efficient than younger lamb meat.
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Chicken is a domesticated bird, kept for meat and eggs
Chickens are domesticated birds, primarily kept for their meat and eggs. They are scientifically classified as *Gallus gallus domesticus*, a subspecies of the red junglefowl (*Gallus gallus*), which is native to Southeast Asia. Chickens were first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and have since become one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals globally, with a population of over 26.5 billion as of 2023.
Chickens are an important source of meat and eggs, with more than 50 billion birds produced annually for consumption. Selective breeding has led to the development of specialized breeds, such as broilers for meat production and laying hens for egg production. A hen bred for laying can produce over 300 eggs per year. Certain breeds, such as silkies and bantam varieties, are also kept as pets due to their docile nature and are recommended for children with disabilities.
The global popularity of chickens as a food source is due to their ability to provide meat and eggs without competing for human food sources. They are social, intelligent, and inquisitive birds, featuring prominently in folklore, religion, and literature across societies. Chickens have economic significance and are a central component of global animal husbandry and agriculture.
Poultry farming, which includes the raising of chickens, involves intensive commercial enterprises and free-range farming methods. According to the Worldwatch Institute, 74% of the world's poultry meat and 68% of eggs are produced through intensive farming practices. However, chickens are susceptible to parasites and diseases, such as mites, salmonellosis, and avian influenza, which can impact their health and egg production.
In summary, chickens are domesticated birds that play a significant role in human societies as a source of meat and eggs. Their domestication occurred thousands of years ago, and they have since become an integral part of global agriculture, food culture, and economics.
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Chickens are social, gregarious animals with complex behaviours
Chickens are often misunderstood and underestimated, despite being the most abundant domesticated animals, with a population of over 19 billion worldwide. They are highly social and gregarious animals with complex behaviours and advanced intelligence.
Chickens have sophisticated cognitive capacities and display a wide range of emotions and behaviours. They form complex social hierarchies, also known as "pecking orders," and each chicken knows its place in the social ladder. They can remember the faces and ranks of other birds, and they update their memories throughout their lives. Chickens also have distinct personalities, with some being gregarious and fearless, while others are shy and watchful. Some enjoy human company, while others prefer to keep their distance.
In their natural surroundings, chickens form social groups consisting of one dominant male, one dominant female, subordinates of both sexes, and chicks. They have regular roosting sites, and their diet varies from berries and seeds to insects and small vertebrates. Chickens are sensitive to touch, and their skin contains receptors for temperature, pressure, and pain. Their beaks are complex sensory organs with numerous nerve endings.
Chickens also have impressive communication skills, with various vocalizations to distinguish between different types of threats. A mother hen starts teaching these calls to her chicks before they hatch, and they respond by chirping from inside their shells. Chickens can even recognize each other as individuals, as observed when two chickens, Lois and Lambrusco, were reunited after being separated and they foraged together as a couple.
Chickens, therefore, have complex social and behavioural characteristics that are often overlooked. They form memories, communicate effectively, and exhibit a range of emotions and personalities, all contributing to their rich social lives and advanced intelligence.
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Frequently asked questions
Americans eat a lot of meat, but they tend to stick to a few types, mainly chicken, beef, and pork. Lamb is not as popular in the US as it is in Europe because Americans are less likely to enjoy eating meat from an animal they consider cute and fluffy. Chicken and turkey do not have the same "cuteness" factor.
Kebabs, lahmacun, and doner are usually made with a mix of veal and sheep. In Istanbul, kebabs such as Adana and Iskender are made with either lamb, beef, or a mix of the two.
In Istanbul, it is not practical to ask for dishes to be made with lamb instead of beef because most of the meat has been pre-prepared. However, you can find lamb cutlets and chicken options.
