PORK
Pork is an incredibly versatile protein with options for roasting, slow-cooking, smoking and grilling—there’s something to suit all skill levels in the kitchen, and to satisfy even the fussiest of taste buds. From classic French-style Toulouse sausages to a family-size fennel, chilli, garlic and lemon stuffed porchetta carefully prepared by our butchers, another highlight of our offering is our award-winning rare breed ham and bacon.
This range of premium quality pork would not be possible without producers focussed on free-range, rare breed and small-scale farming. The maintenance of heritage breeds is incredibly important for biodiversity—many of the pig breeds featured in our cabinets would become extinct if it weren't for the work of Beachport Berkshires.
An important rare breed is the Berkshire, now the main focus at Mark and Kate Wheal’s family-run farm near Beachport, on the Limestone Coast, South Australia. Berkshires are a black heritage breed that are slow-growing and suited to life outdoors. They thrive on grain grown on the farm and love digging in the dirt, lazing in lush green pastures and wallowing in mud on hot days.
Similar to the Tamworth, the Berkshire breed is well known for its increased level of intramuscular fat, which results in the juiciest and most flavoursome of meat. You’ll also find a balanced sweetness, coming from the pigs’ constant access to fresh pasture.
Since starting their pig farming journey around a decade ago, the Wheals have won awards for the quality and integrity of their Berkshire pigs. We’re huge supporters and proud to feature their top quality products in the cabinets here at Meatsmith.