Which meat is most popular in Poland? Surprising survey results
The Polish Meat Association, together with SW Research, comprehensively studied Poles' attitudes toward meat. Some interesting conclusions emerge from the survey.
Namely, Polish men are more open to different types of meat, but both genders unanimously consider beef to be a “masculine meat”, while poultry as more feminine - this is one of the interesting conclusions brought by the report titled "Preferences and Opinions on Meat Consumption Among Poles" (this is the first such large study on Poles' preferences toward meat over the past few years).
In the diet of Poles, meat plays an important part. It is described as a building block and an integral part of nature. Only 4% of the Polish public admits that they do not eat meat at all, while more than half consider it a staple of their diet (57%).
Almost 4 in 10 respondents consume animal protein, but try to limit it (39%). This attitude is more characteristic of older people (55% of respondents over 60 and 42% of respondents between 50 and 59 vs. 27% of representatives of the generation under 29), which may be due to the need to take care of one's health.
When asked during the focus interviews why they thought people might limit eating meat, older adults noted that it might be due to doctor's recommendations. Eating fried meat in particular can raise cholesterol, and younger respondents noted that their grandparents used more fat to cook meat. Less healthy attitudes toward meat also emerged when associating it with the most common type of meat in Polish homes, poultry. The oldest group associated chicken with fast food (KFC, McDonald's) and fried wings and nuggets, while the youngest group associated it with tenderness and the whitest meat. Representatives of the youngest generation emphasized concern for inner well-being in their statements. They expressed an attitude of listening to the signals their body sends them
– from the report.
Which meat is the most popular in Poland?
In both surveys, the ranking of meat popularity looked the same: poultry, pork and beef.
Poultry reigns supreme on Polish tables, with 91% of respondents indicating that this is the type of meat they eat. It is the meat more often chosen by people under 39 years of age. During the focus interviews, the immense popularity of poultry was explained by respondents as easy and quick to cook, widely available and the lowest price.
This type of meat is associated with tenderness, mildness, with bright colors. It is also attributed to a high degree of flexibility, as poultry can be eaten both every day and on holidays, and its presence is noted in various cuisines of the world. When thinking of poultry, chicken was most often in front of the eyes of participants in the qualitative survey (91% of respondents).
Pork is also well-liked among Poles, taking second place in their preferences (78%). This type is combined with heavier meat, more fatty. Those surveyed thought of classic pork loin or pork loin in a more exquisite form accompanied by prunes, apricots, apples. These more exclusive dishes were mentioned by older adults, so it should come as no surprise that respondents of this particular age were much more likely to agree with the statement that “pork is an important component of Polish culinary tradition.
In contrast, beef (closes the ranking of meat popularity in PL with 53%) is considered expensive and demanding in Poland, especially by older people. For this reason, it is chosen for special occasions. This attitude was evident in the frequency of consumption of this meat by older adults, who were much more likely to admit that they consume beef less than once a week.
On the other hand, young adults associated beef with less healthy establishments like McDonald's and with fatty, unhealthy American cuisine, for which hamburgers are a hallmark, which may be why the youngest adults can afford to consume beef at least once a week.
It turns out that men are more open to different types of meat. With each type of animal protein (except poultry), it was men who were significantly more likely to admit that they eat a particular type of meat. This was most pronounced with beef (11 pp. difference) and with pork (7 pp. difference). There were also perceptions that beef was a “masculine meat”. Men appreciated the taste of steak, while women admitted that they are not fond of it, but the dish appears at their home because of their partners' preferences.
Pork was criticized by the female gender for its negative effects on health (clogging of blood vessels, increased cholesterol), so they limited its consumption. This view resonated most strongly among the oldest women. At the qualitative survey, there were opinions that poultry meat could be described as feminine, and beef as masculine. Nonetheless, both genders consume meat regularly, and among men there were also supporters of introducing some days without animal protein, the study said.
Source: The Polish Meat Association, PortalSpożywczy.pl