Types of Meat

Meat has been a part of human diet, since time immemorial. Archaeological evidences suggest that humans used to consume various types of meat, as they learned the art of hunting. Meat consumption soared with the concept of organized hunting, which helped them to catch bigger animals like, bison. This was followed by domestication of animals (started around 10,000 years ago) for their meat. Initially, sheep, various breeds of cattle and wild pigs were domesticated. Now, there are various types of meat, obtained from different animals and birds. It includes, beef, pork, mutton, chicken, ostrich meat, etc.

Different Meat Types

Meat can be defined as animal flesh used for human consumption. Usually, the skeletal muscle and the fat attached to it are referred to as meat, but some organs, like, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, skin, bone marrow, etc. are also included in this term. It is a collective term, used to denote a wide range of meat, obtained from different animals and birds. Usually, fish is not considered as a type of meat. The eating habits and diet of people are different in different parts of the world. This applies to meat too. There are people, who consume spiders, rats, zebra, snakes, etc. But, they are not so common. But, there are some types of meat, which are commonly used in almost all parts of the world. The following is a list of various meat types.

• Beef is one of the popular types of meat, which is used to prepare food recipes, across the globe. This meat is obtained from cow and is one of the much sought-after types of red meat.
• Another popular meat, that it is consumed by people world wide, is chicken. Though, a type of poultry, it is considered as a healthy meat and can be found as an indispensable ingredient in most of the regional cuisines of the world.
• Pork is another choice, as far as meat types are concerned. Pork is derived from pig and is classified as red meat. However, this meat is less fatty than beef and is more leaner. Read more on benefits of eating meat.
• Sheep meat is also a staple food in some parts of the world and is consumed in many regions. Sheep meat is otherwise known as mutton (meat of mature sheep) or lamb (immature sheep). This is also a type of red meat.

The above mentioned were some of the commonly used types of meat. But, there are various other types, which are specific to some region, or less available. In case of poultry, turkey, geese, ducks, etc. are consumed. The meat of rabbits, deer (venison), possum, zebra, water buffalo, camel, etc. are consumed by humans. Even birds like, dove, emu and ostrich are hunted (and also raised) for meat.

Nowadays, meat production and packaging is one of the flourishing industries, which uses advanced techniques of raising, breeding and butchering animals. Even packaging of meat is done with the help of modern technology. We have different kinds of meat, as per the cuts. Meat is also classified as per the growing and feeding factors. As per such classification, meat can be divided into conventional, organic, natural and grass-fed ones.

Now, you have a basic idea about the types of meat. This is only a general view of a very vast topic, which can be studied separately. However, if you are a meat lover, make sure that you reduce the intake of red meat or replace it with white meat, which is claimed to be more healthy.