Why is Wagyu Beef so Special?

Wagyu beef is a special type of beef that has its origin in Japan and is known for its marbling and rich, buttery flavor. Wagyu cattle are a purebred breed of cattle native to Japan, where the animals are fed a strict diet and entertained with daily exercise and massage to get their muscles soft and supple. This carefully controlled process results in a distinctive type of beef that’s highly sought after for its flavor, tenderness, and incredible marbling.

The History of Wagyu Beef

Wagyu is actually a Japanese term describing any cattle breed used mainly for its meat. Over centuries of selective breeding, four unique Wagyu breeds have emerged in Japan, including Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn. Most of the time, when you purchase Wagyu beef, it actually comes from the Japanese Black breed, which is known for its intense marbling. The ancient Shinto tradition of Hatsuguichi, a traditional practice of cutting steaks from live cattle using an oxbow has also been performed for centuries, introducing different cuts of premium Wagyu steak to the public.

Grading Wagyu Beef

Grading Wagyu beef follows a similar system to other countries with a 100-point scoring system. The three measuring points include marbling, meat color and fineness, and fat color and quality. Marbling is the most important criteria with a maximum score of 12 points. Each slice of steak is carefully analyzed according to strict criteria and will be graded as either A or B. An A-grade steak is considered superior and meets the highest standards of quality, while a B-grade steak still offers delicious marbling flavor but with slightly less marbling. For instance, an A5 Wagyu steak will provide you with the highest quality and the most intense marbling, while a B3 wagyu steak will still provide deliciously marbled flavor, but with less marbling.

In conclusion, Wagyu beef has become a culinary phenomenon due to its intense marbling, flavor, and tenderness. Each cut of Wagyu beef adheres to strict standards of quality and is graded to ensure you get the best bite possible. With Wagyu beef, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for quality. The intense marbling ensures it will always have extraordinary flavor, and its exclusive breeding in Japan ensures it will be some of the best and most luxurious beef you can find.