"Cachena" a bovine rustic Portuguese extensively reared autochthonous breed: meat texture analysis

Abstract

Cachena’ is one of the world’s smallest bovine breeds. Extremely rustic and wild, they are extensively reared, and fed with natural pastures in South Alentejo, a very poor agricultural region of Portugal, and is considered as a part of genetic heritage of Portugal. ‘Cachena’s meat is tender, juicy, low-fat, and highly appreciated due to the association of animal, terroir and producer, balanced by the ecosystem’s sustainability. However, the best meat cuts are small, which may condition its consumption. Moreover, the different tenderness of these noble meat cuts between distinct animals, has been reported by retailers as a major problem to consumption and a reason for complaints.