Turkey has always been the big item on the Thanksgiving table. Many people regard the dinner as incomplete without turkey. It is loved because of the high quality of its meat and eggs. Sales increase as Thanksgiving approaches. Everyone wants to make sure they get the right-sized bird for the meal. Quite often, right size is synonymous with bigger turkey.
When Bigger is Better
With bigger birds, you’re covered on the quantity aspect. Large birds guarantee that there will be enough meat for everyone at the table. This spares you from the embarrassment associated with a deficit. It is crucial that you serve enough meat, especially when you’re expecting several people over for the meal. Preparation is also easier when you have just one large bird rather than two or more smaller ones to cook. Otherwise, various factors determine how tasty a turkey will be.
Flavor of Turkey
Bigger breasted birds represent a new breed of birds specifically developed in the poultry industry. These large birds are meant to produce more meat. However, since flavor wasn’t a priority in their development, they aren’t as tasty as smaller breeds. Birds with smaller breasts are more representative of the original tastier breeds. Heritage, free-range and organic turkeys have more flavor than the broad-breasted type.
The environment the birds are raised in ultimately impacts the flavor of their meat. Those raised in the open air are allowed to roam free. This ensures plenty of exercise which helps to build a lean body. It also contributes to better flavor of meat than birds raised in factory farms. Free-range birds have a diversified diet unlike their factory-raised counterparts. This is because the birds graze and forage for their food. Their diet consists of grain, grass, plant material, bugs, grubs and vegetables. This natural diet contributes to tastier meat than that of birds fed only on grains.
The age of the birds also determines how tasty they’ll be. Older birds are tastier because they’re allowed to grow at a slower pace. This enables them to develop some fat which enhances flavor of their meat. Very young birds have minimal fat, hence less flavor. Generally, birds that are allowed to breed naturally have tastier meat than those that are artificially bred.
How to Choose a Turkey
Plumpness is a good indication of a good bird. A well rounded bird indicates that the bird was of good health. Select the plumpest bird in your desired weight range. Avoid bony or skinny birds. The meat of skinny or bony birds also tends to be dry and tough.
You may also want to consider organic turkey. This is not only tastier but also healthier. Such birds are raised in a natural environment. No herbicides, pesticides, artificial lights, preservatives or antibiotics are used on the organic type. This makes them safer for consumption. It also helps to ensure that the natural flavor of the meat remains intact. Organic turkeys rarely exceed a weight of 15 pounds. However, the Heritage breed weighs about 20 pounds when mature.
