If you consider yourself a beef connoisseur, there is a pretty good chance that at some point in your dining endeavors you will come across wagyu beef in the form of a juicy steak or tenderloin on your plate. This specialty meat is definitely one that will leave you with a few questions. Here are a few of the most frequent questions the average beef connoisseur will have about wagyu beef products:
What exactly is wagyu beef and where does it come from?
Wagyu beef is a form of beef that comes from wagyu cattle in Japan. It is specifically bred and raised to have a large amount of marbling of unsaturated fat, which enhances the moisture content and flavor. This is achieved through a diet that is rich in nutrients that come from special additives, such as sake and beer. The genetic differences in wagyu cattle, which are often smaller and more muscular than domestic breeds here in this country, also contributes to the unique makeup of the meat. Waigyu cattle are also raised in the United States but are usually bred with other domestic breeds to produce variants of beef quality.
What is the difference between wagyu and Kobe beef?
Wagyu beef and Kobe are actually of the same origin. When wagyu cattle are prepared as beef cuts and shipped from specific areas of the country of Japan, they are often given a label bearing the name of the location from which they came. Therefore, Kobe beef is actually a form of wagyu beef that came from Kobe, Japan. Some of the other well-known origins labels include Mishima and Sanda, which are also known for the specific qualities.
Where can you buy wagyu beef?
If you would like to bring some wagyu beef home for your own freezer, this is not something that you will typically find in your local grocery store. In order to find wagyu beef, you will have to find a specialized meat retailer in most cases. Because the beef has to be shipped internationally, you should expect to pay a slightly higher price, but the overall quality is well worth the cost for most customers.
When it comes to quality beef, any beef connoisseur has an array of choices, but there will always be a few that will catch your attention, and wagyu is one. If you would like more information about wagyu beef for sale, talk to a specialized meat retailer in your area.
