If you’ve had the pleasure of sinking your teeth into a Wagyu Beef steak, you know it’s a real luxury to feast on. But no matter how many high-end menus this marbled-steak treat graces, even the most seasoned diners tend to have a shallow understanding of this delicacy.
So, what is Wagyu Beef, and what makes it a cut above the rest? Here’s a quick summary of everything you need to know about this variety of beef.
Wagyu (pronounced wag-you, not wah-goo) literally means ‘Japanese cow’. But not all cows from Japan are Wagyu. The Wagyu everyone wants to dig into comes from a particular breed of Japanese cattle with a unique genetic makeup. These unique genetic traits give it intense marbling (the white flecks of intramuscular fat in-between meat). The thin streaks of fat dispersed evenly throughout Wagyu give it its melt-in-your-mouth texture, as well as the ability to be cooked longer without getting too tough or dried out.
Wagyu (pronounced wag-you, not wah-goo) literally means ‘Japanese cow’. But not all cows from Japan are Wagyu. The Wagyu everyone wants to dig into comes from a particular breed of Japanese cattle with a unique genetic makeup. These unique genetic traits give it intense marbling (the white flecks of intramuscular fat in-between meat). The thin streaks of fat dispersed evenly throughout Wagyu give it its melt-in-your-mouth texture, as well as the ability to be cooked longer without getting too tough or dried out.
The taste of Wagyu Beef is worlds apart from anything else that can be found on the meat market. Wagyu marbling not only makes its cuts juicy and tender, but also gives its steaks a signature buttery texture. Wagyu Beef is incredibly rich and flavourful, which is why a little goes a long way. If you’re having a Wagyu Beef patty for the first time, you’d be surprised how much flavour can be packed into even the tiniest of servings.
Wagyu Beef is also known to have a sweet finish, so you might want to balance that out with something slightly bitter like a beer.
Health-conscious carnivores can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Get this: The fat in Wagyu Beef is actually better for you than other forms of fat. How, you ask? Wagyu Beef has generous amounts of oleic acid, a compound that gives it a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. These acids are commonly called ‘the good kind of fat’, as they don’t increase your cholesterol level.
Health-conscious carnivores can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Get this: The fat in Wagyu Beef is actually better for you than other forms of fat. How, you ask? Wagyu Beef has generous amounts of oleic acid, a compound that gives it a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. These acids are commonly called ‘the good kind of fat’, as they don’t increase your cholesterol level.
Are you an eco-conscious foodie? Join the club. The average restaurant-hopper isn’t just worried about what happens inside the kitchen. They want to know about the entire journey, from farm to fork. So how does Wagyu Beef score on the sustainability scorecard? The most meticulous forms of cattle raising are used to produce Wagyu Beef. One such producer is Silent Valley Wagyu, who pride themselves in operating with as little environmental impact as possible, and always support the ecosystems where they work.
