Game, venison roast & Co.

For the hunting of most wild animals, there are legally defined seasons; some are protected all year round.

Because game meat has a particularly intense flavor and is not always available fresh, it is very popular during the hunting season.

Generally, a distinction is made between furred game and feathered game.

Wild hair

Federwild

Like other types of meat, every type of game (feathered game) needs to hang for some time to mature.

The time required varies depending on the type and quality of the game meat.

Due to the lifestyle of wild animals - but not animals kept in enclosures - their meat is lean and easily digestible.

In furred game, the most sought-after parts are usually the back and leg, while in feathered game, it is the breast and leg.

Typical game spices

Purchase of game meat

Proper purchasing and handling of game meat is very important – several points should be considered:

Game meat from the supermarket usually comes from enclosures – therefore, they are not wild animals, as they have been fattened up with hay and grass to slaughter weight.
Game sold frozen outside of the game season is usually imported from overseas and is also mostly from farmed game.
Freshly butchered game meat is usually obtained from a butcher or hunter.

You can tell if the meat is fresh by its color - here are a few examples:

Game meat must always be well hung before being used in the kitchen to achieve its typical consistency.

Only then can the meat be further processed or stored.

There are a few things to keep in mind here as well:

The cooler the storage conditions, the longer it will keep.
As with all food products, hygiene is extremely important when it comes to game meat.
The cold chain must not be interrupted; once removed from the refrigerator or freezer (for an extended period), it should be processed.
To preserve the meat for a longer period of time, it should be frozen.

Game meat keeps in the refrigerator as follows: