What Makes Wagyu Beef Such A Renowned Delicacy
Every meat lover deserves to try Wagyu beef at least once in their life. Originating in Japan, but also popular in Australia and the US, Wagyu beef has become a sensational trend despite being the most luxurious meat in the world. It is incredibly tender and has a buttery soft flavor that evokes a mouth-watering experience you will never forget.
Wagyu beef is considered the most delicious beef in the world. The intense marbling of the meat gives its rich flavor. A high-grade piece of Wagyu beef will definitely tickle your fancy. We will guide you in learning more about this premium quality meat with the different ways of how you can enjoy it.
For all those meat lovers, here is what you need to know about Wagyu beef.
What is Wagyu beef?
Wagyu beef is the best and most expensive beef in the world. Its name literally means Japanese cow, although not all beef in Japan or from Japan is Wagyu. Among the most famous are Kobe and Miyazaki beef. You have probably heard of Kobe beef before, but didn’t know that it is a type of Wagyu beef that originates in Kobe, Japan. Wagyu cattle raised outside of Kobe has to be identified as “Wagyu” or sometimes “Kobe-style” beef. For example, cattle raised in the US cannot be called Kobe beef, it can probably be “American-style Kobe beef”, but the better option would be American Wagyu beef.
There are four unique breeds of purebred cattle: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Shorthorn, and Japanese Polled. It is strongly prohibited to cross-breed them with other cattle varieties. In the early 20th century Tajima cattle were cross-bred with cattle mostly from Europe and then selectively bred over some generations to maximize their unsaturated fat. This is what gives Wagyu its famous marbling, high in healthy omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, giving it a sweeter rather than greasy taste and a serious umami flavor. Most importantly, these types of cattle are raised with special care for the environment and feed, making it premium beef.
Why is Wagyu beef popular?
Wagyu beef is distinctive because of its flavor. It boasts intense marbling which refers to the layers of organic unsaturated fat that is found in the muscle. This makes the meat juicy and tender. It has the highest marbling of any meat on the market, and because of this, it has a lower melting point which gives its signature buttery texture. This makes Wagyu beef a big deal among not just meat lovers, but everyone who has ever tried it.
When the meat melts, you will feel the rich flavor that tickles your senses. People say that it will be like nothing you have ever experienced before. Although there are plenty of myths about taking care of Wagyu beef, the fact is that some producers have a unique way of raising them, meaning they are taken care of according to strict rearing guidelines.
Some of the most popular Wagyu cuts
Like any other beef, this type also has different cuts with its unique aroma and flavor. The most in-demand is sirloin meat that is used to make Wagyu steak or sukiyaki (hot pot). Another great choice is rib roast which offers a good balance between lean and marbled meat, and in Japanese cuisine, it is most commonly used for shabu-shabu (Japanese fondue). In Japan, dishes like shabu-shabu and sukiyaki are most famous, and the beef is sliced thinly and cooked briefly.
Depending on the different types of Wagyu beef, the tasting would be also distinctive. For example, Japanese Black Wagyu is used in many dishes like classic steak and sukiyaki. But, if you want to savor unique cuts of this type the best way is yakiniku (Japanese barbecue). For all sushi lovers out there, of course, there is Wagyu sushi. This is a new way of enjoying both sushi and Japanese beef.
The distinction between Japanese and American Wagyu beef
Although it is common to believe that Japanese and American Wagyu beef are the same thing, it is definitely far from the truth. First off, there are plenty of differences, ranging from how the cattle is raised to the texture, flavor, and overall quality of the meat. One of the simplest differences is that Japanese Wagyu beef is purebred, while American Wagyu beef is crossbred. Other key differences include:
Cattle raising techniques
In Japan, special raising techniques are required to produce high-quality Wagyu beef. The living conditions and the quality of care are crucial for ensuring the best meat. This means ensuring the cattle by maintaining low-stress levels, eating high-grade wheat and rice feed, and living in clean areas with access to open space. Some of these conditions might be met on American farms, but even the slight difference in the quality of care will lead to changes in the quality of of the beef.
Grading standards
Maybe one of the most distinctive differences between American and Japanese Wagyu beef has to do with the grading standards. In Japan, the Japanese Meat Grading Association imposes very strict standards based on the overall meat quality such as textures, color, firmness, marbling, and fat. In the US, the American Wagyu Association was formed in 1990 and began guaranteeing that the Wagyu beef produced in the US will match the standards developed by the Japanese Meat Grading Association.
Texture, flavor, and quality
Lastly, it all comes down to this. If you are going to pay a lot of money for premium beef you would want it to be delicious, juicy, and full of flavor! The authentic Japanese beef has an incredible tenderness and flavor, and intense marbling. This is such a unique quality that it is very difficult to achieve. In fact, the American Wagyu doesn’t have the sweet umami flavor, and never reaches the same melting-in-your-mouth level of marbling.
Final thoughts
Tasting like nothing you have ever tried before, you would want to come back for more and more. Wagyu beef being transcendently tender and flavorsome has become such a luxury synonymous with black truffles or caviar. There is not a single soul who has tried Wagyu beef and said it’s “just okay”. It is more than “just okay” it is an explosion of flavor, juiciness, and softness. Those who have tried reckon it to be unparalleled in its taste. Those who have not tried it need to do it as soon as possible!