It’s the world’s most popular meat, but with a reputation that has kept it off most local dining tables. Until now.
Goat meat is now becoming a firm favourite with customers of the favourite fishmonger of the world’s biggest band, U2.
According to Tim Wooldridge, the owner of Tim’s for Fish at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre, in Wrexham, it’s healthier than lamb, pork, beef – and even chicken.
The popularity of goat meat here is now soaring after continental customers asked Tim if he could supply it.
Tim, who provided U2 with salmon and shellfish when they were staying in Mid-Wales, was happy to oblige.
After sourcing a local supplier, he’s discovered the healthy meat option is proving an even bigger hit with his loyal Welsh customers.
Goat meat is also proving popular with some of the world’s best chefs.
It’s now on the menu at culinary flagships like Chez Panisse in the fashionable town of Berkeley in California and Blue Hill in New York.
Goat meat is a staple for 70 per cent of the world’s population and is a mainstay of Jamaican, Mexican and Arab cuisine.
It certainly has healthy credentials, containing only 122 calories per three ounces compared with 162 for chicken, 175 for lamb, 179 for beef and 180 for pork.
Goat is also less fatty than other meats and is high in iron and B vitamins. It is the most widely consumed meat in the world with more than 500 million reared annually for the table.
Tim said “I was initially asked by a Spanish lady customer whether I could supply goat meat as it is readily consumed on the continent and is the basis of many Mediterranean dishes.
“We also have quite a sizeable Filipino population living in the Wrexham area and goat meat is a very popular dish in the Philippines too as it is in the Caribbean where goat curry, for example, is hugely popular in Jamaica.
“However, having begun stocking goat meat I am surprised to find it is becoming a big favourite with Welsh customers too.”
“I think discerning customers understand it is a lot healthier than other red meats and contains very little saturated fat.
“It’s similar in many respects to lamb because you can have it diced, in cutlets, a leg, a rack of ribs, or shoulder joints. In fact, just about any way you want.
“Goat meat is similar in taste to lamb when hot and beef when cold. When talking about goat meat most people think curries or highly spiced foods but a roasted leg or shoulder is excellent.
“It makes good casseroles, burgers, sausages and mince, anything in fact that can be done with any other meat. It also lends itself to Mediterranean style herbs like thyme, basil, marjoram and oregano.
“It’s strange goat meat has never really taken off in the UK before as it is so popular elsewhere and is a staple North African meat. And it’s ideal for summer barbecues too and can be spit roasted Greek style.
“It’s delicious and I am amazed at the range of recipes available for goat meat. It certainly seems to have been a big hit with real foodies and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
“I am pleased to have teamed-up with a local fully-licensed supplier of goat meat, less than 30 miles from Wrexham, and know the meat I can offer is absolutely top quality.
“I can supply any cut to order, from diced goat through to a whole kid for spit roasting but orders must be placed by the Tuesday of the week it’s required.
“I think, in the not too distant future, we will see goat as a staple on many restaurant menus. It really is a fabulous tasty and healthy option.”
For more information go to www.timsforfish.co.uk or ring 01978 261227.
