Wagyu Beef – What’s All the Fuss About?
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Expensive is what I first thought when I chanced upon a piece of Wagyu beef near me. I had known this type of beef was all the rage, but was unsure about its heftier price tag. Eventually, I got to try it and came to realize what all the fuss was about. That gorgeous fat marbling, succulent texture and rich flavor is enough for Wagyu beef to lay claim to all my money. Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly, but it is freakin’ tasty.
Here’s a quick backgrounder (and short history lesson!) about this beloved breed of beef.
What’s Wagyu Beef?
Originating in Japan, Wagyu (pronounced “wag-you”) translates to “Japanese cow”. Many top barbecue joints and restaurants in the Lone Star State use wagyu or wagyu mixes in their dishes. Slicing into a hunk of this special beef cut will put stars in your eyes, as you taste the delicious fatty juices oozing out of the meat.
The succulent texture of Wagyu beef is due to the distribution of fats within the meat, which produces its distinctive marbling pattern. This juicy consistency is one of the reasons why Wagyu beef has become such a hit across both Texas and the US as a whole.
The History of Wagyu
Japanese Wagyu cattle were originally used as working animals, with their medium build and robust stature making them a particularly hardy cow breed. This coupled with their good temperament meant that these cattle came to be seen as excellent companions for farmers. In Japan, there are four varieties belonging to the Wagyu breed: the Japanese Polled, Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, and Japanese Shorthorn.
Eventually, the word about Wagyu beef’s premium flavor, taste and quality hit America, and international demand for the meat began to sky-rocket. So much so that it got to the point that the Japanese government declared the breed a national treasure and banned export of Wagyu cattle to other countries in 1997. But before that, many Wagyu cows had already been exported to the United States. As a result, there are numerous Angus-Wagyu crosses being raised in ranches across the Lone Star State.
What makes Wagyu a “Cut” Above the Rest?
Your first bite of Wagyu beef is the initial step into an expensive meat-eating cult. The sheer amount of fat that crisscrosses cuts of Wagyu makes it tender, juicy and flavorful – in other words, heavenly. This characteristic melt-in-your-mouth texture can be explained by Wagyu fat having a lower melting point than the human body.
The fat in Wagyu beef has been likened by some to that found in salmon. Accordingly, Wagyu contains higher levels of omega fatty acids than other kinds of beef, meaning it is particularly good for your cardiovascular health. Containing high levels of conjugated linoleic acid, Wagyu is a brilliant (albeit pricey!) supplement to your diet.
Why is Wagyu Beef So Expensive?
Compared to more common breeds of cow that are raised for only 15 months, Wagyu cattle should be reared for three years according to traditional standards. This is one reason why Wagyu beef is far more expensive than its cheaper counterparts – the sheer amount of resources required to raise the cattle needs to be recouped by the cattle farmer. In Japan, farmers usually feed Wagyu cattle a diet of grains. And most interesting, each cow is given a name rather than a number!
If you haven’t tried Wagyu yet, then now’s the time. You can search for “wagyu beef near me” on Google or just visit Texas butcher shops offering subscription packages that include this cherished type of beef. Not one for cooking? You’re in luck, as Texas has some truly excellent barbecue joints that use Wagyu cuts in their holy trinity platters. The combination of Texas BBQ and Wagyu brisket is a match made in heaven.
Looking for grass-fed beef? Here are 7 Farms to Pick Up Grass-Fed Beef in Austin.
If you are in Dallas and need farm-fresh meat? Check out these 6 Butcher Shops in Dallas For Farm-Fresh Meats.
Learn more about beef brisket (What wine goes well with beef brisket?) and why is it frequently claimed as “National Dish of Texas” here
Want to learn the secret on how to cook steakhouse quality steak? Click here.
Would you like to know more about historic Texas BBQ joints? Click here.
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