Altay sheep [Xinjiang Altay specialty]

What is Altay sheep? Authentic Altay specialty in Xinjiang: Altay sheep

Summary:Do you want to know what Altay sheep are? This article is a detailed introduction to the Xinjiang Altay specialty - Altay sheep. It was compiled and edited by the editorial team of China Specialty Network after reviewing and collecting relevant information about Altay sheep. The full text takes about 11 minutes to read, mainly including the basic introduction of Altay sheep and its nutritional value? What are the product features of Altay sheep? How did the history of Altay sheep come about? Awards and honors for Altay sheep

Basic introduction of Altay sheep

Altay sheep, also known as Altay big tailed sheep, is a specialty of Altay region in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national geographical indication protected product in China. The protected production area of Altay sheep covers seven counties and cities in Altay region of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, including Altay City, Burqin County, Habahe County, Jimunai County, Fuhai County, Fuyun County, and Qinghe County

The formation of Altay sheep breeds is closely related to the hard breeding of Kazakh herders under year-round nomadic conditions and long-term domestication under local ecological environment conditions. Herds follow the herders' long-distance transitions throughout the four seasons for grazing. The unique natural environment and long-term domestication have enabled sheep to have a large body size, strong limbs, well-developed muscles, and the ability to travel long distances. During the transition period, it can endure hunger and thirst, resist cold and heat, and has strong disease resistance. Can regulate the metabolic balance of the body on its own. Grabbing and fattening are fast, with high meat fat production performance. Lambs grow and develop quickly with prominent early maturity. The meat is fresh, tender and delicious, without any gamey taste, and has nourishing and medicinal effects. It is a pollution-free green food

The north of Altay sheep production area is Altay Mount Taishan Mountain, which is high in the west and low in the east. The highest Youyi Peak in the west is 4374 meters above sea level. Mountain areas above 3200 meters are mostly covered in snow throughout the year and are the source of the Ertix River. The mountainous areas at 1400-3200 meters have abundant precipitation and lush forests and grasslands, making them the main summer pastures. Especially in mountainous pastures, it is humid and cool, with excellent grass quality. The unique terrain and climate are not only suitable for the growth and development of Altay sheep, but also conducive to the accumulation of nutrients and energy, forming a large body, fresh and tender meat without any gamey taste

What is the nutritional value of Altay sheep

Due to its warm nature, it has functions such as warming the spleen and stomach, nourishing the body deficiency, and nourishing and slimming after consumption. Altay lamb has always been regarded as one of the important foods for winter nourishment. Eating Altay lamb meat regularly in cold winter can nourish qi and deficiency, promote blood circulation, and enhance the ability to keep warm. Altay lamb can also increase digestive enzymes, protect the stomach wall, and help with digestion. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lamb has the functions of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang, nourishing yin, and replenishing blood. It is suitable for both men and women of all ages to consume regularly

Fresh lamb: The muscle color is light red and shiny, with obvious layering of fat and muscle. It has a normal odor of fresh lamb, without any gamey or off flavors

Frozen lamb: The muscles are shiny, the flesh is deep red, and the fat and muscle layers are clearly layered

The Tang Dynasty's "New Book of Tang" records that "in the Kazakh territory under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty (between Lake Balkhash and the Salt Sea), there were large tailed sheep with a weight of ten pounds on the top and side of the tail. During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, the Fuhai Big Tail Sheep was presented as a tribute to the Tang court and was praised as "Xinjiang sheep as big as cows and tails as big as pots". It is named after its place of origin and sheep breeding base in Fuhai, as well as its large and unified tail and buttocks

Awards and honors for Altay sheep

Altay big tailed sheep is a nationally renowned excellent sheep breed