1 Honeysuckle Cottages, Bedfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 7EA
Tel: 01728 684 048 Mob: 07899 912 212
matt@honeysucklecottage.info
We’d like to introduce ourselves; my name is Matthew Reed, and with the help of my wife Anna and our baby daughter Molly-Mae, together, started Honeysuckle Cottage Cabrito in May 2009.
Having kept a couple of pet goats as a child and also later in life, I asked the question; ‘Why don’t we eat goat meat?’ After a quick browse on the Internet, reading books and speaking to friends & relatives to gauge reactions, it soon became a serious consideration.
Goat meat, or Cabrito (Spanish for Kid Meat) is the most commonly eaten meat in the world making up a staggering 73%-75% of all meat consumed. Currently there is huge growth in demand for the meat in America, Canada and Australia. ‘So Why?’ Maybe because Cabrito is extremely healthy, having less saturated fat then chicken, low in calories like chicken; and maintaining the same level of protein as beef. And the best bit – it’s also very tasty, often described as a mild lamb or a lamb / beef combination.
So with a little more research, a house move, birth of our daughter, and full time jobs to consider, we set about finding a suitable place to start our enterprise. A new experience lay ahead, but one that was full of excitement, passion and challenges.
Our product is different for many people, traditionally having been raised on pork, beef and chicken. To some it is exciting, as they have experienced it whilst abroad on holiday, to some a novelty and to others a much sought after meat which they have difficulty in obtaining.
In a region known for producing cereals and pork we have set about establishing a goat herd specifically for the production of meat using breeds developed for their muscle confirmation. Unlike many other goat meat producers we do not rely on cull animals from dairy’s or from pedigree breeding. Also none of our animals are ritually slaughtered. All animals are taken to the local butcher to maintain the highest standards of welfare for the animals and quality of meat for the consumer.
I hope this gives you a small insight into our product, what we do and where we see the future heading.
Matthew, Anna & Molly-Mae
