When it comes to beef, wagyu is THE BEST. If you haven’t tried it, or even if you have, and you’re curious to know why it’s so good, you’ve come to the right page.
Why is it So Good?
Wagyu refers to all Japanese cattle breeds, and this breed is different from the rest of the cattle all around the world. They are raised differently. You can say that wagyu cattle is raised in a pampered environment that is completely stress-free. Therefore, these animals have more intra-muscular fat cells, or what we also refer to as “marbling.”
If you’ve noticed, wagyu beef has incredible marbling that makes it melt in your mouth. It brings a unique taste and it’s extremely tender. Wagyu beef has a buttery but firm texture that is very juicy and is filled with umami richness. You might think that this texture and flavor make it greasy, but it’s actually not. In fact, it is sweet.
To make it even better, it’s healthy due to the high mono-unsaturated fat ratio that it contains. Therefore, it doesn’t have a strong impact on humans’ cholesterol levels.
Wagyu beef also has higher fatty acids with 30% more Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) compared to other cattle breeds. Its taste alone makes it so expensive; in fact, in Japan, the cattle must be reared and fed based on strict guidelines to qualify for the Wagyu mark.
Japanese Wagyu is highly regulated that involves progeny testing, which is also why it’s harder to come by. Only the highest quality of meat is sold across borders, which is also why it’s expensive.
So, if you want the real Wagyu goodness, you should definitely get one that is imported from Japan.
It’s All in the Marbling
What sets wagyu apart from others is its intense and incredible marbling you won’t find anywhere else. Indeed, eating Wagyu will provide an incredible dining experience, which will make every penny you spend for it worth it.
Enjoy Wagyu
When it comes to Wagyu, don’t go for a thick one. Wagyu have different cuts, but if you go to an Asian supermarket, this kind of beef is often sliced thinly, which are best used in shabu-shabu and sukiyaki.
On the other hand, if you like thicker cut of meat, then you can get them as well, such as a wagyu filet. If you want to cook it on your own, you no longer need to add butter or oil to the pan. All you need is to season the meat with little salt and pepper and sear each side for two to three minutes. You can do it longer, depending on the kind of eat doneness that you like. Make sure you allow the meat to rest for five minutes before you dig in. That way, you can guarantee optimal juiciness and tenderness like no other.
Get Your Wagyu Beef
Now that you know why wagyu beef is so good, it’s time you treat yourself to one. Make sure you’re getting authentic Japanese wagyu. And if you choose to dine out, then make sure the restaurant offers authentic Japanese wagyu beef; otherwise you could end up with a different type of Wagyu that will not deliver the same flavor and experience.
