Description
The Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO is meat obtained from sheep of the Heidschnucken race, resulting from the crossbreeding of seven different races, amongst which the Grauen Gehörnten Heidschnucke, grey sheep with horns.
Production Area
The production area of the Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO is in the Lüneburger Heide, moor of the Landkreis of Lüneburg, in the federal state of Lower Saxony.
Production Method
The animals are bred exclusively in the moor. The male sheep, from which the Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO is produced, weighs 80 kg, and is characterised by big horns that curl towards the muzzle, while the female sheep weighs 45 kg and has short horns.
Appearance and Flavour
The meat of the Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO has a slight gamy flavour and is very delicate and tender.
History
The Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO has very ancient origins and has been bred for generations in the Lüneburger moor, as evidenced by historical documents from the end of the 18th century. The Heidschnucken sheep descend from the mouflons of Corsica and Sardinia, which were brought to the mainland around the year 1000.
Gastronomy
The meat of the Lüneburger Heideschnucke PDO can be kept in the refrigerator in its original wrapping for a few days. It can also be conserved in the freezer for a longer period. It lends itself to be prepared in various manners, but one of the most traditional ways to enjoy the Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO is to cook the meat with honey and with berry sauce, sweet-and-sour, serving it with local potatoes, baked in the oven or boiled. It is perfect with beer or full-bodied wines.
Marketing
The product is commercialised as Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO. It is marketed fresh, in pieces or in slices.
Distinctive Features
The meat of the Lüneburger Heidschnucke PDO is characterised by a very peculiar and intense flavour, thanks to the breeding practices adopted, which foresee that the animals graze exclusively in the moor, from which they assimilate the peculiar environmental characteristics.
