Many non-Arabs and non-Muslims don’t know very much about halal meat, and what the process is for its preparation, cooking, and serving. Beyond mere cultural tradition, halal meat is healthier and tastes much better than meat coming from the average slaughterhouse in North America.
If you want to learn all about how halal meat is processed, read on below!
Halal Meat: The Basics
Halal and haram are two universal terms that apply to every facet of a Muslim’s life. Halal means lawful, while haram means unlawful or prohibited. These terms are used in relation to meat, ingredients, food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Halal meat comes from halal butchers and meat producers that follow very strict guidelines when it comes to the care and slaughter of animals. Pork is the only animal that is considered haram in every circ*mstance. Other animal sources are halal if:
During its life, the animal had been fed an all-natural diet with no hormones or antibiotics. It must have had enough space to roam and must have had access to fresh air and clean water.
Before or during slaughter, a Tasmiyah blessing—the name of Allah must be pronounced. The animal’s face must be facing Mecca. No other animals can witness the slaughter.
The knife used for slaughter must be as sharp as possible to kill the animal in one swift cut across the throat.
The animal is hung upside down for all blood to drain out.
Pork and alcohol cannot be mixed with the meat.
For comparison, most livestock’s typical slaughtering process involves being restrained in a chute, stunned mechanically or electrically, and are then suspended by a hind limb. Slaughtering usually occurs down a conveyor line where the animal is exsanguinated and chopped up.
The Benefits of Halal Meat
1. Halal Meat Is Chemical-Free
In traditional farms and slaughterhouses, you will never know how those animals are treated and what they’re fed. If they’ve been pumped with growth hormones and other chemicals, you may never know the difference.
To meet the requirements of halal slaughter, animals must be raised in a healthy environment and fed hormone-free food. When consuming halal-certified meat, you’re assured that you’re consuming a product that is perfectly safe.
2. Halal Meat Is Healthier
Halal butchers and meat producers follow very strict sanitation procedures, so meat sourced from them is sure to be clean, healthy, and fresh. Because halal slaughtering procedure requires all blood to be drained, even from the organs, this means the meat is more sanitary and free from harmful bacteria that can thrive in blood!
3. Halal Meat Is Tastier
Studies have shown that if an animal is in distress prior to slaughter, it leads to lower quality meat. This is because stress depletes glycogen and lactic acid in an animal’s muscles, resulting in tougher and less flavorful meat.
The halal slaughtering process is much more humane, leading to healthier, more flavorful meat. Less blood in the meat also results in a tastier product.
Conclusion
Halal-certified meat goes through very strict procedures and humane processes before they end up on the dinner table. Animals are raised well, fed all-natural food, and are slaughtered with the blessing of Allah. All of this leads to meat that’s much healthier and tastier!
Are you looking for the best Pakistani food in Vancouver? Karakoram Restaurant is a traditional Pakistani restaurant with fine dining, takeaway, and catering options for patrons to experience the treasured flavours and spices that we have been preparing for more than a decade. We offer 100% halal food. Visit us today!
