How to choose the best pork

Jimmy Doherty gives advice on choosing a whole pig.

What to look for when choosing a whole pig

At Jimmy's Pannington Hall Farm, they sell all joints and cuts of pork and make their own sausages. Jimmy says, "If you want to buy from a butcher near you, make sure the butcher is a Q Guild butcher, or accredited to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Remember to buy meat with a good layer of fat around it, which helps cooking. And make sure you always buy British, and know exactly where the meat comes from."

You'll also need to consider some basic practical points - a fully-grown pig is a large animal, so you'll need to consider transport and your freezer space. It can be economical to buy a pig to share between friends and freezers.

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