When it comes to family favourites, the humble sausage is at the top of the list. There is a huge variety of sausages available, with varieties to suit all tastes and budgets. However, not all sausages are created equal.
In this blog, we will discuss the signs of a high-quality sausage and why organic sausages are always the best option.
What's Actually in a Conventional Sausage?
When it comes to quality, sausages vary hugely depending on the brand. The cheaper the sausage, the lower the quality of the product.
A lot of meat comes from factory-farmed animals. Intensively farmed pigs are often raised on concrete in metal cages that are so small the mother pig can't even turn around, let alone behave as they would naturally. From a young age, piglets are exposed to high levels of stress due to overcrowding, lack of light and traumatic procedures like tail docking. This has a negative impact on meat quality and raises animal welfare issues.
One key element of a great sausage is meat quality. If you opt for a cheaper sausage, you are likely to find it is made of low-quality sausage meat. This is often made up of meat trimmings or mechanically recovered meat (MSM). Meat trimmings are small pieces of fat, muscle and connective tissue taken from large cuts of meat during butchering. Mechanically recovered meat is produced by using the minimal scraps of meat that remain on bones.
This creates a slurry that, when cooked, provides a paste-like meat product. It is so low-quality that sausage producers cannot count MSM toward the total meat content percentage declared on product packaging. In other words, these highly processed sources of meat use the most undesirable parts of the animal, leading to high amounts of gristle and fat content.
In addition, some sausage manufacturers add heavy fillers to their sausages. While a small amount of filler can help bind the sausage together, poor-quality sausages may use undesirable large amounts of rusk or starch. Manufacturers may also use large amounts of water to plump up their sausages.
The combination of low-quality meat and fillers can mean cheap sausages have less than 50% meat content. They are very likely to be high in fat and sodium.
Why Organic Certification Changes Everything for Pig Welfare
The way organic pigs are raised is drastically different from factory farming. Gone are the tiny cages, replaced with large outdoor enclosures where pigs can express their natural behaviours. Typically, they are raised outside with small shelters all year round, but they may temporarily be moved inside due to severe weather.
Organic pigs are kept in family groups, and they are left with their mother for longer to improve their welfare. Piglets are not subjected to painful procedures like tail docking, teeth cutting and nose rings. All of these factors contribute to a less stressful environment where the welfare of the pigs is paramount.
With this in mind, if you are concerned about animal welfare, opting for organic pork is the most ethical option. Happy pigs also produce better meat, so you will be able to taste the difference.
High Meat Content vs. Filler-Heavy Bangers: The Flavour Difference
The experience of eating sausages with high meat content is extremely different to filler heavy options.
Low-quality sausages often shrink when cooked due to added water and fat content. They tend to be uniform and grey in colour. When cooked, they often taste bland or overly salty, with a mushy or rubbery texture. They lack the snap of high-quality sausages, and the pork flavour is minimal.
High-quality sausages have a tell-tale bite and a meaty and juicy texture. Their flavour is strongly umami with seasoning that complements the pork flavour.
Quick Weeknight Meal Ideas the Whole Family Will Love
Sausages are incredibly versatile. Here are some meal options that every member of your family will love:
Bangers and mash. Sausage sandwich. English breakfast. Sausage casserole. Sausage pasta. Toad in the hole.
Find High Quality Organic Sausages at Eversfield Organic
We are proud to offer 100% organic, free-range sausages. We source our pork from pigs raised in organic pastures on local organic farms. We take animal welfare seriously, meaning your meat is ethically reared and environmentally sustainable. All meat is butchered to order, so you can be sure it will be fresh and full of flavour. Check out our range on our website at Eversfield Organic today.
