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update:Jul 10, 2008
Organic chickens have less flavour
It has been reported that a new scientific study has
found that organically reared chickens are not as flavoursome as intensively
farmed birds.
Many campaigners have often argued that consumers should opt for chickens
that roam outdoors as this environment "makes for a naturally tastier option on
the dinner table and justifies the more expensive price tag".
A new survey published in the British Poultry Science journal found that
the cheaper birds had a better flavour and texture, reports the Daily
Mail.
It is reported that the research was carried out at Bristol University and
involved a panel of 10 tasters blind tasting samples from 120 chickens reared in
various ways.
"In general, higher ratings were given for texture, juiciness, flavour and
overall preference for meat from the birds reared in the standard system," said
Dr Paul Warriss, who led the study at the university's school of veterinary
science. "The common perception is that organic chickens will be much tastier,
but this was not the case," he said, adding that a reason could be that
intensively farmed birds are eaten at a much younger age, so they will be less
tough than older birds.
Even though this may come as a blow to the free-range industry, Dr Warriss
said his findings did not mean the end of the free-range chicken because people
often buy free-range birds for ethical reasons.
* The organic meat used in the new research was produced according to
guidelines set out by the Soil Association, which has developed a certification
mark for organic food.
Related link:
Editor WorldPoultry
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