Lamb, Mutton and Hogget

Sheep as meat is characterised by its age and life stage. Lamb, slaughtered between six and 10 months old, is still the most marketable of meats, but what the carcass renders is relatively small. Hogget, known in the Karoo as twee tand (two teeth), is between 12 and 15 months old and is identified by its two incisors. If you’re digging into a sizeable lamb shank at your local restaurant, chances are that it’s a slightly bigger twee tand. It’s subtle, but you may also notice a difference in flavour and texture (if the animal has lived a few extra months, its increased muscle development has translated into textural and flavour changes).