Mett facts for kids

Mett is a special dish made from raw ground pork. It's very popular in Germany and Poland. Sometimes, a similar dish is made with beef. People usually eat it raw on a bread roll. They often add salt, black pepper, and sometimes garlic, a spice called caraway, or chopped onion.

At parties, Mett is sometimes shaped like a hedgehog, which is called a Mettigel. You can also find Mett in a spicy, raw sausage called mettwurst. In Germany, there are rules about how much fat Mett can have. It can't have more than 35% fat.

What is Mett?

The name Mett comes from an old German word meaning "chopped pork meat without bacon." It's also known as Hackepeter in many parts of Germany, like Northern Germany, Eastern Germany, Bavaria, and Berlin.

Mett is made from finely ground pork. It's usually sold or served with salt and black pepper for flavor. In some areas, people also add garlic or caraway. You can also add chopped onion to it, and then it's called Zwiebelmett (which means onion Mett).

German food safety rules say that Mett can't have more than 35% fat. Also, unless it's pre-packaged, Mett can only be sold on the same day it's made. This helps make sure it's fresh and safe to eat.

Types of Mett

One special type is Schinkenmett, which means "ham Mett." This kind is made from the upper part of the pig's leg, like ham, and is thought to be extra good.

Most Mett is ground fresh at local butcher shops. But there's also a coarser kind called Grobes Schweinemett (coarse pork Mett). This type is made in big machines called industrial meat grinders. To keep its texture, the pork is often processed when it's partly frozen. Food safety rules say that the meat can't get warmer than 2 degrees Celsius (about 36 degrees Fahrenheit) during this process. They also don't allow ice to be used for cooling.

How Mett is Eaten

Raw Mett is usually eaten on a bread roll, which is called a Mettbrötchen. It's also popular on sliced bread. People often put raw onion rings or small pieces of raw onion on top.

Mettigel: The Mett Hedgehog

At parties or buffets, Mett is sometimes served in a fun way called a Mettigel. This means "Mett hedgehog." This way of serving Mett has been popular since the 2000s. To make a Mettigel, a lot of Mett is shaped like a hedgehog. Then, pieces of onion or pretzel sticks are used as the hedgehog's spikes. Olives are used for the eyes and nose.

In some parts of Southern Germany, Mett is served on a special kind of bun called a Lye bun instead of a regular bread roll.

Mett Around the World

In southern Brazil, where many German immigrants settled, Mett is known as Hackepeter. In the city of Curitiba, it's also called Carne de Onça and is often served with chopped chives on top.

In Wisconsin, USA, there's a similar dish called the "cannibal sandwich" or "wildcat." It's made with seasoned raw beef and sliced onions on rye bread. People sometimes eat this during holidays or family gatherings. This tradition likely comes from German immigrants who moved to Wisconsin in the 1800s.

See also

In Spanish: Mett para niños