However, while many of us are very enthusiastic about eating meat, a lot of us are pretty clueless about where it comes from.

The butcher Donald Russell has done some research into our meat-eating habits and it makes for fascinating, if disheartening, reading.

Apparently, most British meat-eaters sit down to 312 meals a year containing meat and 85% of meat eaters consume it every day.

Despite a passion for cooking, serving and eating meat, our knowledge of where it comes from and how it gets on to our plates is limited.

In fact, almost two thirds of those who took part in the research (61 percent) could not identify the correct location of a rump steak – despite the clue being in the name. Only 36 percent could identify that a pork shoulder steak comes from the shoulder of a pig.

A staggering 81 percent of respondents could not find the part of a cow a rib-eye steak comes from, with only 9 percent claiming they knew where a Barnsley chop comes from on a lamb.

We eat an average of 36 roast dinners a year

According to the poll, commissioned by Donald Russell, the average meat eater gets through an average of 30 steaks, 36 roast dinners, 48 sausages, 60 chicken breasts, 36 chicken curries, 24 pork chops and 96 rashers of bacon every year.

And yet, incredibly, almost a third of Brits claim to have never seen a cow or a pig in the flesh.

Paul Adams, Marketing Director of Donald Russell said: 'The research shows that, although we are a nation of meat lovers, there is a lack of knowledge about how to source and prepare the best quality meat. That lack of experimentation with different cuts of meat means we are missing out on some of the best options available.

'One of the problems highlighted by the study is poor access to local butchers. Most people now buy their meat from a supermarket and never therefore get the chance to talk to a specialist butcher or explore how best to prepare the broad range of meat on offer.'

According to the study, 65 percent of Brits have never seen a butcher at work, while three quarters have never plucked up the courage to ask a butcher for advice about meat.

Bamboozled at the butcher's shop

A quarter (26 percent) admit they feel confused, don’t know what to buy, and don’t understand what is on display in their local butcher’s shop.

Yet 34 percent of those polled said they’d buy more meat from a butcher if they had one near them.

As Paul Adams adds 'In the age of convenience, it’s important that traditional skills such as crafted by hand butchery don’t fade away.'

As you might expect, Mr Adams recommends that customers get their meat delivered by Donald Russell. Preferably after discussing how best to prepare your meat over a phone call or a live chat with one of their experts.

Whether you choose to buy your meat from a mail order company like Donald Russell or from a butcher's shop, good advice can help you make the most of your purchase.

If you would rather leave the cooking to the experts then, of course, there are lots of great steak restaurants on 5pm Dining.