Prince Charles once famously said that talking to plants made them healthier ... well now there's proof positive that talking to animals makes them taste better!
Boffins at the University of Veterinary Medicine, in Vienna, found that when they studied a small finishing herd of 28 cattle, the cattle were visibly and recordedly moved when spoken to.
Given that it is a well-researched fact that stressed animals produce meat that doesn't taste up to snuff – in extreme cases 'dark cutting meat' can produce a right old tough gnasher-bashing steak – this could be well founded.
The bad news is, you just can't recreate it with a recording. You have to speak to the animals in person ... and give them a good scratch behind the ear for good measure, for that tastier steak!
So, will we see on restaurant menus: 'Dry aged for 28 days and given a good talking to prior to slaughter?' Somehow, I don't think so!
But, as they say, it's food for thought.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here