itsjoannotjoann wrote:
> zxcvbob wrote:
>
>>alan wrote:
>>
>>>Waldbaums, our supermarket, has turkeys in sale if you spend $25. The
>>>Toms are 29 cents a pound and the Hens are 39 cents. Price wars are
>>>great!.
>>>
>>>
>>>What is the difference in taste between a Tom and a Hen and is there
>>>any difference in the size of the breast in the Hen?
>>>
>>>
>
>
>>I may be wrong, but I think the birds are sorted by size rather than
>>sex. A "hen" is smaller than a "tom", and either be male or female.
>>
>>The heavier the bird, the more meat you get per pound.
>>
>>Bob
>
>
>
> No, a hen is actually a 'woman' turkey (I know, I know, what a stupid
> thing to say) and of course that makes the toms male. Most all turks
> sold in the store are toms because they do seem to have the larger
> breast. Hen turkeys can be had at the grocery stores but you may have
> to do a search at your market or request they order one for you.


I know /biologically/ that's the difference between toms and hens, but
when they are gutted and plucked and shrink-wrapped in plastic, I think
the wrapper says "tom" on the 20 pounders and "hen" on the 10 pounders,
and the actual sex of the once bird has nothing to do with it.

The males do tend to be larger, but I don't think they really sex them.

> I've had both and not being a con-o-sewer I couldn't really tell any
> difference in the taste. Some say there is, but I couldn't distinguish
> any.


Best regards,
Bob