Askerton Castle Estate is believed to be the first producer in the UK to bring alpaca meat to market, when it will launch this new line at Hexham Farmers’ Market on Saturday 28 May 2011.

Alpaca is a very common meat dish in South America and is increasing in popularity in Canada and Australia where they have given the meat its own name, LaViande ™. Chris Evans and Jane Eden who also produce organic beef, lamb and pork have been keeping Alpacas for a while and already bring Alpaca fibre to Hexham Farmers’ Market.

Peter Samsom, the Farmers’ Market Coordinator said:

“We believe that Askerton Castle Estate is the first producer in the UK to start selling Alpaca meat products and we look forward to finding out what our customers think. The meat is supposed to be very healthy: it is high in protein, lean and tender and very low in cholesterol.”

Peter added:

“Because the meat is so lean, the advice is to cook the meat over high heat and not past medium rare. There are quite a few very tasting looking recipes on the internet and I can’t wait to try it.”

Askerton Castle Estate will be offering a variety of steaks, roasts and sausages.

For more information contact Jane Eden on (016977) 3332 or Peter Samsom on 07854 320519.