SC - Chicken-apologies and facts

[LrdRas]

M'lord Alaistair and list members,

My humble apologies. It appears that taken at face value m'lord Al was
correct. Cornish Game Hens as available in the supermarket under that name are
indeed nothing more than another variety of chicken. They are raised from
several breeds that have been improved for meat and are known as broilers.
They are harvested when they have reached the weight of 2 1/2 lbs. or 7 weeks
of age.whichever comes first.

Due to the young age of the harvested bird they have a flavor which is more
succulent and rich compared to older birds. As a side note, according to Dr.
John Schwartz of the Landcaster Office of the Pennsylvania Co-Operative
Extention office, the flavor of chickens rapidly deteriorate after arriving at
the supermarket. There they are washed in antiseptic and
bleaching/antibacterial agents often times on cutting surfaces that are coated
with antibacterials and packaged. This ruins the flavor.

The best flavored birds are those with minimal processing that have been
killed quickly and bled rapidly. and immediately chilled down. Whne treated
thusly the flavor of range fed vs. commercial birds is not, accordinging to
his mother, significantly different. In fact, broiler and frying chickens are
bred today specifically for flavor and good meat to bone ratios.

Well, there you have it. My apologies for my for my former faux paux.

Ras

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