Discover the Luxurious World of Wagyu Beef: A Culinary Delight and Nutritional Powerhouse
Many top steakhouses and even fast-food restaurants advertise menu items as “Wagyu beef”. What is Wagyu beef, why is it so expensive, and why has it suddenly become so popular?
Wagyu (Wa means Japan and gyu means cattle) is a Japanese beef cattle breed that was originally bred for their endurance as draft animals used in agriculture. These cows have more intra-muscular fat cells (marbling) which provided the animals with a readily available energy source. Beef must come from Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, or Japanese Shorthorn cattle to carry the Wagyu label.
This marbling provides a unique flavor profile and is more tender than other breeds of beef, such as Angus. Beef from a purebred Wagyu cow is between 30 and 50% fat. Most of the Wagyu in the US are crossbred Japanese cattle and American Angus and Holstein cows.
The first four Wagyu cows (two red and two black) were imported from Japan to the United States in 1975 to produce half-bred cattle to ship back to Japan. In the 1990s the Japanese government banned further exports of Wagyu cattle, semen, and embryos as it was considered a national living treasure.
The majority of Wagyu beef produced in the United States until 2003 was exported to Japan due to low tariffs. American chefs were aware of the high-quality beef that comes from these carefully bred and fed cows and began working with ranchers in both Japan and the United States to begin raising them here for US consumption.
It did not take long until the United States became the #1 consumer of Wagyu beef in the world. In addition to its superb taste, Wagyu beef is also healthier than other beef with a higher mono-unsaturated to saturated fat ratio. The saturated fat is different too, with 40% of it in a version called stearic acid, a form that has a minimal impact in raising cholesterol levels. Wagyu beef also has higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), especially when grass-fed, of any foodstuff, including 30% more than other beef sources. Some studies suggest that CLA (an omega-6 fatty acid) when consumed from whole foods such as Wagyu beef and not supplements (which come from chemically altered vegetable oils) has benefits in:
- Fighting cancer
- Weight Loss
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Wagyu beef is much more expensive than other brands of beef. Wagyu cattle are raised by specialty breeders until they are between seven and 10 months old. The rancher may pay as much as $30,000 at auction for the cow that comes with a birth certificate certifying their pure bloodline. Once the rancher purchases the cattle, they are named and are grass fed in a stress-free environment, so they develop the higher level of Intramuscular fat associated with its rich, melt in your mouth taste. The cattle are never given growth promotants, steroids, hormones, or drugs to help them gain weight faster, so it takes up to three years to raise it to the point of being ready for slaughter.
On the Japanese grading system, only A3 and A5 grades can be sold. A3 is roughly the same as Grade A USDA Prime in the United States. A5 is off the USDA charts for quality. Beef graded A5 has a high amount of intramuscular fat (marbling), firm cuts with finely-textured marbling, and an excellent luster and sheen.
To best appreciate the rich flavors of Wagyu beef, it is best to simply grill the beef with salt and pepper and serve it with lightly seasoned sauteed or roasted vegetables, a simple baked potato and a medium or full-bodied red wine such as Bordeax, shiraz, Sangiovese, or cabernet sauvignon.
Although the majority of Wagyu raised in the United States for consumption are in Texas, Bagley Farms Meat Market in Edwardsville has found a local rancher near Bagley Farms to provide a limited selection of Wagyu beef, including filets, ribeyes, New York strips, sirloins, chuck roast, sirloin tip, and ground beef. Bagley Farms Meat Market is one of the only places locally where you can buy this locally raised luxury meat in the St. Louis region.
So, the next time you want to cook for a special occasion, come to Bagley Farms Meat Market or order curbside pick up/delivery from bagleyfarmsmeatmarket.com for everything you need for a decadent Wagyu steak dinner at home.
