borderbutcher.co.uk

Pork & Bacon

Pork and bacon from British rare breeds raised naturally is something quite different from the run-of-the-mill produce offered in the mass market. Pork which is succulent, juicy, tender and full of flavour. Roasting joints with light crispy crackling. All the result of slower maturing in natural conditions from breeds developed for traditional farming methods. And real bacon, bursting with flavour! Bacon from rare breeds lends itself to dry curing which is a slower process which eliminates the water which causes it to steam while it cooks and leaves a white salty residue in the pan and limp, tasteless rashers. Dry-cured bacon is a delight not to be missed - how real bacon used to taste.

Oxford Sandy & Black pigs are bred by one of our specialist suppliers at Conundrum Farm, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Traditionally reared outdoors, the young pigs stay with their mothers until they are eating their own rations and are ready to be weaned. They are allowed to grow at a natural pace, grazing naturally and maturing slowly.

We also source our Tamworth pigs locally, within a few miles of Norham. The pigs are reared at Yearle Farm, Wooler, by Miss Sarah Dodds, and all adult pigs are pure-bred and registered with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. All young stock are birth notified and recorded at the RBST.
The weaners are then finished by Tom Burns of Hunting Hall, Lowick, where they are fed on a diet of home-grown wheat and barley with an added protein supplement (guaranteed GM-free). No growth enhancers and no land animal residues are ever used.
All piglets are kept in their litter groups throughout their lives. The average age of the pigs at slaughter is usually around five and a half months. Because of the way these pigs are reared and handled, with virtually no stress at any time during their life cycle, the pork produced has a very distinct flavour, which is probably best described as "pork the way it used to taste."
Whole sides of pork, cut to customers' preferences are always available; prices available upon request.

Meat from different breeds varies, as do the eating qualities of different varieties of apples or potatoes. Here are some notes on the breeds which we can offer from time to time.
BERKSHIRE	A specialist pork producing breed originating around Wantage, it is renowned for its early maturing. The flavour is light and delicate and well worth looking out for.
BRITISH LOP	The rarest of all our pig breeds, the Lop originated in the Devon/Cornwall area. Can be used for both pork and bacon production, and the meat is high is quality with good flavour.
BRITISH SADDLEBACK	A black pig with a white saddle around the shoulders from the Dorset/Hampshire borders and Essex, it is dual purpose, being kept for both pork and bacon. The skin is mostly black and the meat is top quality.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOTS	An old breed from the vale of the River Severn, they were traditionally kept in orchards so tht local folklore has it that the spots were caused by windfall fruit. The meat is well marbled and delicious, whether as pork or bacon, and is how traditional meat should be.
LARGE BLACK	A west country breed renowned for its hardiness and mothering abilities, producing good-flavoured succulent pork and bacon. The black skin protects the pig from sunburn, making the Large Black ideal for outdoor production.
MIDDLE WHITE	Originating from Yorkshire, the Middle White is early-maturing, making it a specialist pork breed. This pork is so highly regarded in Japan that they have built a shrine in its honour. Light in colour and well-flavoured, the meat is to be savoured. Young Middle Whites also make top quality suckling pigs for special occasions.
TAMWORTH	This ginger-coloured pig originated in the Midlands and is usually considered as a bacon producer, but pork from this breed is well worth looking out for, with its full flavour and high eating qualities.
OXFORD SANDY AND BLACK	The meat from the Oxford Sandy and Black is "pork like it used to be", with a generous layer of fat which melts and adds flavour to the meat while cooking. Perfect crackling every time!

Middle White

British Saddleback

Tamworth

We're very pleased to be members of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust which represents breeders of traditional British breeds.

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