Suppliers
At The Five Horseshoes, we are trying to use local suppliers and small producers as much as possible. Where we can we have found local meat producers specialising in rare breed animal husbandry. Old fashioned breeds of pig, sheep and cattle were developed for their flavour and quality rather than speed of growth, very much the same as in old varieties of fruit and vegetbales. Most of that has now been lost, and the pork or beef that you buy in the supermarket has been bred for its profitability rather than eating quality. A few brave people are trying to keep these breeds and varieties from being completely lost.
These are Tamworth pigs from The Berkshire Pig Company.
The Berkshire and Tamworth breeds are among the oldest registered breeds of pigs. Unlike commercial hybrid pigs which take around 4 or 5 months to mature, these older breeds take much longer, 7 – 8 months, which allows the flavour of the meat to develop. The Berkshire is prized for its amazing crackling and was a favourite choice of pig for the aristocracy; Queen Victoria was a fan.
Most free range pigs are kept on barren fields, whereas our pigs are in large woodland paddocks, a more natural setting, where they can supplement their diet by foraging. Because of the wealth of food on the forest floor, they are constantly on the move looking for the next tasty morsel, this increased exercise also adds to the quality of the finished product.
Our Lamb comes from Cammilla and Roly in Wallingford
The beautiful farm lies next to the River Thames and is now home to over 300 sheep (Hartline) and a lot of wildlife! Our sheep lamb in January and March and are then allowed to graze on grass, clover and flower rich meadows which we believe ensures our lambs tenderness and delicious flavour. Our main aim is to achieve a balance between looking after our animals, the wildlife and the environment across the whole farm. For more info – www.camillaandroly.co.uk
Our beef comes from Stonor, 1/2 a mile from the pub. 35 day, dry aged Aberdeen Angus
These are Tamworth pigs from The Berkshire Pig Company.
The Berkshire and Tamworth breeds are among the oldest registered breeds of pigs. Unlike commercial hybrid pigs which take around 4 or 5 months to mature, these older breeds take much longer, 7 – 8 months, which allows the flavour of the meat to develop. The Berkshire is prized for its amazing crackling and was a favourite choice of pig for the aristocracy; Queen Victoria was a fan.
Most free range pigs are kept on barren fields, whereas our pigs are in large woodland paddocks, a more natural setting, where they can supplement their diet by foraging. Because of the wealth of food on the forest floor, they are constantly on the move looking for the next tasty morsel, this increased exercise also adds to the quality of the finished product.
Our Lamb comes from Cammilla and Roly in Wallingford
The beautiful farm lies next to the River Thames and is now home to over 300 sheep (Hartline) and a lot of wildlife! Our sheep lamb in January and March and are then allowed to graze on grass, clover and flower rich meadows which we believe ensures our lambs tenderness and delicious flavour. Our main aim is to achieve a balance between looking after our animals, the wildlife and the environment across the whole farm. For more info – www.camillaandroly.co.uk
Our beef comes from Stonor, 1/2 a mile from the pub. 35 day, dry aged Aberdeen Angus
