What is the difference between Lamb and Hogget?

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Lamb and hogget are simply an age reference for sheep.

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The basic definitions are as follows:

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Lamb is a sheep born in late winter or spring of each year, who does not have any permanent incisor teeth. Yearling Lamb - also known as hogget is a young sheep, usually12 - 18 months of age, having no more than two incisor teeth.

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Hogget is generally 50% larger than spring lamb and has a fuller flavour. 

Think about hogget as being what yearling beef is to veal. 

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Lamb meat cuts are smaller in size and known for their tenderness. Contrary to popular belief, lamb is not exclusively milk fed. Stirling Estate lambs are able to graze on grasses and clovers, they take up nutrients from these (such as Omega 3 and 6) making it a healthy family choice. As the lambs have not reached full maturity yet the meat is much leaner and tender with a delicate flavour.

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Yearling Lamb (Hogget) is up to a year older than lamb but still not fully grown or matured. As it is given a lot more time to range freely while grazing on grass and clover, it grows around 50% bigger and its meat develops a fuller, more complex and delicious flavour.

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Lamb is great for delicate culinary creations like exotic cutlets, mouthwatering racks or legendary lamb chops on the barbie!

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The grain of the meat (intramuscular fat) becomes more prominent and yellow in colour from the development of complex fatty acids which are characteristic of a grass-fed animal. As raw meat, it also has a distinctive stronger "game" smell than lamb which can be a little off putting to people who've never tried it before. But don't worry the odour quickly disappears when it is cooked.

 

Hogget is great for large cuts that can be slow cooked barbecued or smoked with fantastic results.

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We reckon more meat and flavour for your hard earned buck is a winning combination and we hope you'll agree. (We're pretty sure every sheep farmer already agrees.)

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How can lamb and hogget be good for me?

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The high-quality protein in our lamb and hogget satisfies the appetite and repairs and maintains our bodies. Grass fed lamb and hogget have every essential amino acid we need, along with high levels of valuable micro-nutrients, including easily absorbed iron to energise us, zinc to support the immune system, and B vitamins to help us think straight!

 

Since our sheep graze on green pastures, the fat in their meat is an excellent source of conjugated linoleic acid, which is heart-healthy and may help protect us against cancer.

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We also believe that eating lamb can make you feel good-old-fashioned happy. As part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle that's got to be good for you!

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