In the context of lamb joints, which joint is from an older lamb and has lower quality meat?

The spool joint is indicative of an older lamb and is associated with lower quality meat due to its physiological characteristics. In lambs, the presence of a spool joint signifies that the animal has reached maturity, as it reflects the fusion of the bones that occurs with age. This type of joint has less tenderness compared to joints from younger animals, which typically have break joints.

The break joint, in contrast, is characteristic of younger lambs and is typically associated with more tender and higher-quality meat. A rib joint is typically assessed for its quality based on fat distribution and muscle structure but does not specifically indicate the age of the lamb or the joint’s quality relative to age. The shank joint also does not directly correspond to the age of the lamb in the same way that the spool joint does. Overall, the characteristics of the spool joint highlight its association with an older lamb and consequent lower meat quality.