However, the most important information is not necessarily written in larger font. When buying already marinated shashliks in a package, we pay not only for the meat but also for the marinade, preparation, attractive and convenient packaging, and saved time. And how much actual meat we bring home often becomes clear only after carefully reading what is written in smaller print on the label.
The Agricultural Data Center (ŽŪDC) comparison of publicly announced prices of major retail chains’ stores on July 30 showed that in the evaluated products, meat can constitute from 75 to 98 percent.
The price is the same, the content is different
The price per kilogram of two pork neck shashliks was the same that day – 7.49 euros. One product was sold in a one-kilogram package, the other in an 800-gram promotional package, but recalculated, their kilogram cost the same.
The composition differed much more. In one product, the neck made up 78.6%, in the other – 98 percent. Comparing one kilogram of both products, one would have 786 grams of neck, the other – 980 grams. The difference is almost 200 grams of meat.
The rest of the product consisted of water, oil, onions, spices, and other marinade ingredients. More marinade does not necessarily mean a worse product – some prefer juicier, more abundantly marinated shashliks, others choose as much meat as possible. Ultimately, the choice is determined not only by price but also by taste and culinary habits.
Comparing how much one would have to pay for such a product quantity containing one kilogram of neck, in the first case it would be about 9.53 euros, in the second – about 7.64 euros. The difference would be almost 1.90 euros.
We pay not only for the meat
These figures do not mean that a product with more meat is always a better choice. For some, the composition is most important, for others – taste, marinade, or the possibility to put the prepared meat directly on the grill.
Read more A religion called a sect seeks state recognition: it has already encountered the first obstacles
At home, you can choose the desired meat yourself, decide how much onion, oil, or spices to add, and adjust the taste to your liking. The store-bought product is already prepared – no need to look for a recipe, cut the meat, and wait for it to marinate.
An indicative calculation by ŽŪDC previously showed that shashliks prepared at home from one kilogram of pork neck and simple marinade would cost about 7.14 euros. The marinade itself would cost less than one euro. However, this is not exactly the same choice as the store-prepared product – its price also reflects preparation and saved time.
“When buying already prepared shashliks, a person pays not only for the meat. They also pay for marinating, preparation, packaging, and saved time. It is a convenient choice, but when comparing products, it is worth looking not only at the price per kilogram but also at the composition,” notes Irma Jankauskienė, head of the Market Information and Economic Analysis Department at ŽŪDC.
What to check before putting it in the basket?
When choosing already marinated shashliks, it is worth answering three questions: how much does a kilogram of the product cost, what part of it is meat, and what specific meat is used?
Neck, shoulder, chicken breast, or thigh meat are not the same products. Therefore, a lower price per kilogram may mean not only more marinade but also a different, cheaper meat part.
The cheapest kilogram of shashlik can be a good choice. But before putting the package in the basket, it is worth reading what is written in smaller print.
Read more What happens after taking vitamins for three years? Scientists have provided the answer
