Gehaktdag

Gehaktdag is a Dutch word that translates literally to "Ground Meat Day" or "Mincemeat Day." It refers to a specific day or period, traditionally a weekday (often Tuesday), when butchers would make and sell fresh ground meat (primarily beef or a mixture of beef and pork) and related meat products. This practice was more prevalent in the past, before widespread refrigeration and modern meat processing techniques made daily production less crucial.

The concept of "Gehaktdag" stemmed from the desire to offer consumers the freshest possible ground meat. Ground meat spoils more quickly than whole cuts, so limiting its production to a single day or two ensured it was consumed soon after processing. This also allowed butchers to manage their inventory efficiently and allocate resources effectively.

While the practice of specifically designating a "Gehaktdag" is less common in modern supermarkets due to refrigeration and readily available pre-packaged ground meat, some smaller butchers may still adhere to a similar schedule. The term itself is still recognized in the Netherlands, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or a reminder of simpler times.