Many families prefer to buy their meat in the morning, believing it to be the freshest. But what about those who work in offices or factories and don’t have time to go to the market in the morning? Is there a difference between morning and afternoon pork? How can you ensure you’re getting the best meat, regardless of the time of day? Let’s find out.
1 When is pork the freshest: morning or afternoon purchase?
Morning Market Trip
Buying pork in the morning
We visited the Rạch Đĩa market in Phước Kiểng, Nhà Bè at 7 am and observed the pork stalls. The meat looked very fresh, with some blood still clinging to the bones and flesh. When we inquired, the vendor told us, “I get this meat directly from the slaughterhouse next to the market. They deliver it to my stall every day, very early in the morning, around 5:30 am.”
We asked what happens if she doesn’t sell all the meat in the morning. She replied, “I sell it throughout the day. I get my supply in the morning and sell it all day long.” Shopping for meat in the morning gives you a wide variety of cuts to choose from.
Afternoon Market Trip
Around 6 pm, we returned to the same market but couldn’t go inside due to heavy rain. So, we stopped at a meat stall near the entrance.
To our surprise, the pork there still looked very fresh, with a pinkish-red color and a bouncy texture. The vendor told us she only sells meat in the afternoon, so she goes to the slaughterhouse in the early afternoon to get her supply, ensuring its freshness.
We then visited another nearby stall, where the meat looked drier, less vibrant, and slightly rancid. There wasn’t much variety left to choose from, so we just observed and didn’t purchase anything.
Based on our morning and afternoon market visits, we concluded that the freshest and most delicious pork is available in the morning, between 6 and 8 am. While some afternoon vendors also offer fresh meat, it’s not as abundant or consistently high quality as the morning supply, as it’s often leftover from the morning batch.
2
Even though morning pork is generally considered fresher, not everyone can make it to the market that early. If you’re an afternoon shopper, here are some tips to ensure you still get quality meat:
– Opt for supermarkets where meat is stored at controlled temperatures, ensuring freshness. The quality is also more likely to be checked and sourced responsibly.
– Develop a relationship with a trusted butcher at your local market. You can even pre-order your meat and pick it up in the afternoon.
– Choose meat with a pinkish-red or bright red color, which is dry and not slimy.
– Look for meat with good elasticity—it should spring back when pressed.
– Avoid meat with bruises, dark spots, or a foul odor.
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