Meat
Balkhi
C tier
Balkhi is a fat-tailed sheep of Afghanistan and neighbouring areas of Central and South Asia, kept by sedentary and semi-nomadic producers for meat and coarse wool. Animals are relatively large for regional landraces, with a pronounced tail fat store for harsh winters and dry summers. Balkhi lamb and young mutton enter local bazaars as stewing and kebab meat with a full, pastoral flavour. Tail fat is prized for cooking oil substitutes in traditional dishes; muscle is leaner than the fat depot suggests and benefits from slow, spiced preparation.
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History
Fat-tailed sheep of the Balkh region underpinned Silk Road pastoral economies.
Regional types called Balkhi were distinguished in Afghan livestock surveys.
State and village breeding maintained Balkhi as a major local meat sheep.
Cross-border trade continued to move Balkhi-type animals into neighbouring markets.