BEEF OR MUTTON?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 7

BEEF OR MUTTON?

POPULAR PREFERENCES AT THE BUTCHER'S. How far does tho taste of tho public in matters of diet correspond witli that of tho Amy 1 , which is (m deferenca to tho expressed wishes of the soldioi's) to havo mutton eliminated from the contracts, and to have beef served seveii days in tho week instead of six, as hitherto? queries an English contemporary. Tho preference is substantially tho samo, though less marked. Beef and veal, in fact, form 51.0 per cent, of tho total supplies to tho Central Meat Market at Smithlield, and mutton. and lamb only 33.8 per cent., and these figures are typical of tho proportion for many years past. An official well qualified to give en opinion on tho subject, expresses the view that most men prefer beef, but womon like mutton, "because it is more dainty." "Mutton is very nice," lie added, "if it is properly cooked and eaten when it is served, but it will not stand waiting till it gets a little cold. That is one of tho reasons, I believo, why tho British soldier chooses beef. Moreover, beef is moro digestiblo than mutton." On the latter point there is some diversity of opinion, and on© authority lays it down that digestion largely depends on individual taste. ' "It is easier," lie said, "to digest food which is pleasant to tho palate, and if anyone has a rooted dislike to any particular form of food ho will find it indigestible."