Waitrose Revives Lamb Hearts: UK's Growing Appetite for Offal

Waitrose has announced the reintroduction of lamb hearts to its stores, eight years after discontinuing the product. This decision reflects a growing trend among British consumers embracing more traditional and economical meat cuts.

The supermarket chain will offer lamb hearts at £3.50 per kilogram starting August 23, 2024. This price point is significantly lower than other lamb products in their range. For comparison, Essential Waitrose lamb chops are priced at £8 for a 364g pack, while the premium Duchy Organic British Lamb Loin Chops cost £30 per kilogram.

Lamb hearts are not only budget-friendly but also nutrient-dense. A 100g serving contains 25g of protein and 185 calories. Kate Overy, a nutritionist at Waitrose, highlights the nutritional benefits: "Cooked lamb's heart is high in protein, phosphorus, iron, copper, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B12, and [is] a source of Vitamin B6, thiamin and zinc." These nutrients play crucial roles in various bodily functions, from energy production to nervous system health.

The resurgence of offal in British cuisine extends beyond lamb hearts. Ocado, an online food delivery service, reported a doubling of ox tongue sales between October 2022 and 2023, with bone marrow sales increasing by 37%. This trend aligns with the philosophy of nose-to-tail eating, which promotes using the entire animal to reduce waste and maximize resources.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, notes an increase in domestic demand for offal. He attributes this shift to Britons becoming more adventurous in their eating habits, influenced by international travel and exposure to diverse cuisines. Allen also credits cooking shows like Masterchef and social media for demystifying offal preparation.

"We are hearing a lot more interest in offal on the home market. They [Britons] travel further afield, they come across offal, they see it on the menus and they have a bit of a go at it and think, 'Oh, this is quite nice'."

While offal gains popularity, some traditional dishes face challenges. The grouse season, which began on August 12, 2024 (known as the Glorious Twelfth), may be affected by a shortage of birds due to unfavorable weather conditions. This has led to increased prices, with some London restaurants quoting up to £35 for a single bird, causing grouse dishes to be removed from menus.

As British culinary preferences evolve, it's clear that both innovation and tradition play significant roles in shaping the future of food consumption in the UK.