All turkeys are not created equal.
Knowing the type of turkey you want before going out to purchase it will make the trip easier and a lot less time consuming.
When it comes to purchasing a turkey, there are many choices that one can make.
Do you want fresh or frozen? Should you buy a Kosher or an Organic Turkey? There is no right or wrong answer in the type of turkey to buy.
I'm going to give you some clear information on the types of turkeys available so you can purchase what you really want.
Frozen Turkeys These are probably the most common turkeys you will find.
In order for a turkey to be labeled a "frozen" turkey it must be cooled to 0°F or below.
When these turkeys are commercially processed, they are usually flash frozen to this level.
Freezing the turkeys this way will help keep its freshness.
Fresh Turkeys A turkey will begin to freeze at 26°F.
In order for a turkey to be considered fresh it can never go below this level.
Fresh turkeys need to be prepared within a couple of days, or by the "use by" date on the label.
Due to this, fresh turkeys will be more expensive than your frozen turkeys.
Hard Chilled Turkeys Hard chilled turkeys cannot be label fresh or frozen because they fall in between 0°F and 26°F.
You'll want to handle turkeys of this nature as if they are fresh.
Organic Turkeys In order for a turkey to be considered organic, it must be free of any growth hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics.
It can only be fed organic feed as well.
It should be noted that the use of hormones in any poultry is prohibited.
You can find organic turkeys both fresh and frozen.
Heritage Turkeys Heritage turkeys are breeds of turkeys raised on small farms, in comparison to the mass produced turkeys at large commercial facilities.
Heritage turkeys have a long life span and a slow growth rate.
These turkeys are free range and also mate naturally.
They are a leaner turkey, with a smaller breast than commercial turkeys.
Heritage turkeys are far more expensive than your commercially available turkeys, but may be worth the price since the meat is much more flavorful and juicy than commercial birds.
Heritage turkeys can be purchased directly from these small farms or from various online sources.
Kosher Turkeys Kosher turkeys are free-range, grain fed, and never given antibiotics.
These turkeys are processed in a salt brine, which imparts a juicy, distinct flavor to the meat.
In order for these turkeys to be considered kosher, they must be raised and processed under strict rabbinical supervision.
Free-Range Turkeys Free-Range turkeys are allowed to roam outdoors at least part of the time.
Some growers may allow them to be outdoors longer than others, but both can be labeled as free-range.
Turkeys that are allowed to roam outdoors are said to have better flavor than those that are not.
If at all possible you'll want to check into the practices of the turkey grower to see if it is worth the increased cost associated with labeling a turkey as free-range.
Natural Turkeys The term "natural" has nothing to do with how the turkey was raised.
They may be raised free-range or not.
Natural turkeys contain no added colors or artificial ingredients and are minimally processed.
Natural turkeys will be untreated with any solutions.
Save some time, know what type of turkey you're looking for before going out to buy it.
Now that you've done your homework and know generally what you want, the obvious next step is going out and buying a turkey.
Knowing the type of turkey you want before going out to purchase it will make the trip easier and a lot less time consuming.
When it comes to purchasing a turkey, there are many choices that one can make.
Do you want fresh or frozen? Should you buy a Kosher or an Organic Turkey? There is no right or wrong answer in the type of turkey to buy.
I'm going to give you some clear information on the types of turkeys available so you can purchase what you really want.
Frozen Turkeys These are probably the most common turkeys you will find.
In order for a turkey to be labeled a "frozen" turkey it must be cooled to 0°F or below.
When these turkeys are commercially processed, they are usually flash frozen to this level.
Freezing the turkeys this way will help keep its freshness.
Fresh Turkeys A turkey will begin to freeze at 26°F.
In order for a turkey to be considered fresh it can never go below this level.
Fresh turkeys need to be prepared within a couple of days, or by the "use by" date on the label.
Due to this, fresh turkeys will be more expensive than your frozen turkeys.
Hard Chilled Turkeys Hard chilled turkeys cannot be label fresh or frozen because they fall in between 0°F and 26°F.
You'll want to handle turkeys of this nature as if they are fresh.
Organic Turkeys In order for a turkey to be considered organic, it must be free of any growth hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics.
It can only be fed organic feed as well.
It should be noted that the use of hormones in any poultry is prohibited.
You can find organic turkeys both fresh and frozen.
Heritage Turkeys Heritage turkeys are breeds of turkeys raised on small farms, in comparison to the mass produced turkeys at large commercial facilities.
Heritage turkeys have a long life span and a slow growth rate.
These turkeys are free range and also mate naturally.
They are a leaner turkey, with a smaller breast than commercial turkeys.
Heritage turkeys are far more expensive than your commercially available turkeys, but may be worth the price since the meat is much more flavorful and juicy than commercial birds.
Heritage turkeys can be purchased directly from these small farms or from various online sources.
Kosher Turkeys Kosher turkeys are free-range, grain fed, and never given antibiotics.
These turkeys are processed in a salt brine, which imparts a juicy, distinct flavor to the meat.
In order for these turkeys to be considered kosher, they must be raised and processed under strict rabbinical supervision.
Free-Range Turkeys Free-Range turkeys are allowed to roam outdoors at least part of the time.
Some growers may allow them to be outdoors longer than others, but both can be labeled as free-range.
Turkeys that are allowed to roam outdoors are said to have better flavor than those that are not.
If at all possible you'll want to check into the practices of the turkey grower to see if it is worth the increased cost associated with labeling a turkey as free-range.
Natural Turkeys The term "natural" has nothing to do with how the turkey was raised.
They may be raised free-range or not.
Natural turkeys contain no added colors or artificial ingredients and are minimally processed.
Natural turkeys will be untreated with any solutions.
Save some time, know what type of turkey you're looking for before going out to buy it.
Now that you've done your homework and know generally what you want, the obvious next step is going out and buying a turkey.
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