2012-03-06

Buying Steak Online: A Guide To Buying Wagyu Steak

Buying steak online is a rather new, yet innovative, concept that has really made an impact on the meat market. There are plenty of reasons why you should buy steaks online rather than go down to the butcher. The first and most obvious reason why you should buy steak online is because you do not have to stand in line. Having to queue at the butcher is frustrating and time consuming. If you want to get your Wagyu steak easily, without any hassles, you can simply place your order online and you will have it in no time at all.

Another reason why you should buy your steaks online, particularly Wagyu steaks, is because you are guaranteed quality and professionalism. The thing about going to a butcher is that they deal with a wide range of meat, rather than focusing on a single type. This can have a negative effect on the quality of the meat, as the butcher is simply interested in selling you a product. Wagyu steak bought online, on the other hand, is much better in quality, as there are some suppliers who are purely dedicated to supplying this gourmet delight. This way, you can be assured of better quality and professional customer service.

There are some steps that you need to take to ensure that you are getting authentic Wagyu steaks when you buy steak online. One way to do this is to find out about the history of the meat. This will give you a good indication of the quality to expect. You need to look at the origin of the meat, as well as how the cattle are bred purely for Wagyu beef. The way that cattle are raised affects the quality of the meat and, when possible, you need to find this out.

You also need to have a clear picture of the kind of steak that you want to buy online before actually purchasing the steak. The thing about online steak is that there is such a wide variety that it sometimes becomes difficult to make the right choice. You can remedy this by being clear on the choice that you want before actually setting out to buy Wagyu steak.

Lastly, to get the best out of Wagyu steak, you need to have the right technique for preparation. There are some great recipes that you can find online that will guide you on how to best prepare your Wagyu steak.

2012-02-28

What are Kobe Steaks and why are they so expensive?

The Japanese don't only impress people around the world with their unique architectural design, disciplined education curriculum and high-end vehicle production, but also with the quality of the food they produce. In the culinary world, Japan is already famous for its congee, sushi, teriyaki, noodles, sashimi and other raw or semi-cooked dishes. But have you ever heard of Kobe beef? Kobe beef is considered the finest and most expensive cattle meat in the world; yet, it's something that not everyone is familiar with. In Japan, Kobe beef is often served on the dining table either raw or half cooked in the form of sushi. In countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, Kobe beef is most appreciated roasted. When barbecued or roasted, Kobe beef is then called Kobe steaks.

But why are Kobe steaks so expensive? Well, it comes down to their quality and the way they are produced. Firstly, Kobe meat can only be obtained from the Tajima cattle, a variety of the Wagyu breed, which is a type of cattle only found in Japan. Now, we may have already heard of other cow breeds, such as the Angus breed in the United States, but the Wagyu is different. It’s the only breed of cow that can produce meat with such well-distributed marbling that causes extra tenderness, superior juiciness and intense flavor. Unlike other meat, Kobe beef, when overcooked, can become gummy so slight, low fire cooking is required, to keep the natural taste and tenderness.

Although Japan has already permitted the exporting of Wagyu beef to other countries to develop and research production potential, they need to be slaughtered within the Hyogo Prefecture to qualify for the Kobe beef label. And because of that, countries such as the U.S. have to export the cows to Japan, so they are butchered there, and then exported back for distribution with the "Kobe beef" marker. Another reason for their high price could be the amount of care and pampering the cows experience while being bred. Not only are they given regular massages, but they also have special diets. So, along with importing and exporting costs, this increases the overall price of the meat when it comes into the butcher shops and supermarkets.

Angus steaks and Kobe-style steaks are available to buy on the Internet, but you can also purchase Kobe steaks online. Angus and Kobe-style steaks are far more affordable than Kobe steak, and although not the real thing, they taste pretty good. These two beef products are not rip offs or low-grade alternatives. In the U.S., Angus beef is as strictly quality-controlled as Kobe-style steaks. They can be a great alternative to the expensive Japanese delicacy.

2012-02-27

Japan's Wagyu: Where the World's Best Beef comes from

In Japan, one will find the world's most delicious and expensive cow meat. Known as Kobe beef, it comes from an indigenous breed of cattle, which is called Wagyu. When translated, Wagyu means Japanese cow. The animal is split into four main breeds, which are called the Japanese Shorthorn, the Japanese Polled, the Japanese brown and the Japanese Black. We get Kobe steak from the Japanese black breed, within which the black Tajima-ushi cattle variety belongs.

To be more specific, Japanese farmers raise the black Tajima-ushi variety of Wagyu in the Hyogo Prefecture. It is known for its marble textured meat. The meat is the reason for its high market value, juiciness, tenderness and unique flavor. Genetically speaking, Wagyus are more capable of producing meat that is high in oleaginous unsaturated fat with a high value of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Wagyu meat is a delicacy in Japan, where if not served raw in the form of sushi, it is served as teppanyaki, sashimi, shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Outside Japan, people prefer to eat it as a steak, and Kobe beef is even more expensive than in Japan.

Wagyu, though found in the land of the rising sun, is not exclusive to Japan. Wagyus are also bred in farms in the United States and Australia. In the U.S., you will find pure Wagyu cattle as well as half-breeds. American farmers sometimes mix the Wagyu breed with the more common Angus cattle, in the belief that the crossbreeding will help the cows better survive in the American climate.

U.S. cattle farmers have tried to copy Japan's way of raising and feeding their Wagyus, but so far they have failed. This has resulted in Wagyu meat, produced in the U.S., being called Kobe-style beef. Compared to Japan's elite Kobe beef, the American Kobe-style beef is sold at a much more affordable price of about $50 per pound.

Outside ogfJapan, the largest exporter of Wagyu beef in the world is Australia. Cattle farming in Australia accounts for about 40 percent of the country's total land mass.

When you purchase steaks online, please take note of the main choices available. Kobe beef from Japan's Wagyu is very expensive, but is arguably the tastiest beef, so it is much sought after. People who have tasted it describe the flavor as heavenly and wonderful. But, if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, American Kobe-style beef, though an imitation, is still a tasty and more affordable option to consider.

2012-02-26

Search Online Steak Gifts That You Can Give to a New Neighbor

If you have ever moved into a new community then it is probable that you have experienced the privilege of being warmly welcomed by your new neighbors. Conversely, it is also probable that at some point, a new neighbor or family has moved or will move in near to you, in which case it always pays to be hospitable and to greet them warmly.

If new neighbors are scheduled to arrive in a few days, then you have the advantage of being able to plan ahead and get them the most suitable welcoming gift. These days thinking of a nice gift should not be that difficult. It can either be homemade or bought from the store, but often the former shows that more warmth and thought has gone into the present. In some countries people will often say welcome to their new neighbors by giving them baked goods. Alternatively food items as varied as cakes, sweets, cookies, pastries, pre-pared savory dishes, soups or cooked meats can all make a suitable gift for the right occasion. As can a nice bottle of something. If you do decide to take the option of giving cooked meats, a great place to start looking for ideas is to search for online steak gifts. Steaks are often regarded as a classy type of food and will more than likely leave your new neighbors with a good first impression of you and your family.

Depending on your budget, there are several different types of beef available online including American Wagyu, Angus and Kobe beef. It is worth knowing that this last meat is very expensive indeed, but also very delicious. Angus beef and American Wagyu beef are not bad options if this price is simply too much; they are more affordable and at the end of the day it is the thought that counts.

Before you present your gift you can put the steaks in a nice looking basket and simply cover it with a clean cloth. There are other ways, but this is a nice and simple option. Then it is a case of relaxing, introducing yourself and helping your neighbors settle into their new surroundings by filling them in a little on your own background and what facilities there are in the area, as well as all the interesting things to see and do.

2012-02-23

Kobe Steaks: The Best Strip Steak New York City Has To Offer

There are different beef cuts in the market that give different flavors and percentages of fat against pure meat. The different cuts can be classified into three sections of the cow: the sirloin, the short loin and the rib.

Under the sirloin are cuts such as strip, flank, round and chuck. Under the short loin are porterhouse, tenderloin, top loin and the T-bone. The least tender section of the three, the rib, provides cuts such as back ribs, rib eye and rib.

If you search New York strip steak online it soon becomes obvious that in that part of the world, no steak is more popular. New York strip steaks are cut from the t-bone portion of the cow. This cut of meat is also referred to as Kansas City strip steak, shell steak, strip loin or simply strip steak. In Australia it is known as boneless sirloin or porterhouse steak. Strip steaks are known for their extra tenderness because the meat comes from the muscle parts that are subjected to little work and movement. Strip steaks can be cut with or without a bone. Characteristically, such meat is well-marbled and may have some fat on the sides.

Kobe steaks which come from the most prized beef in the world can also be cut in this way. Kobe steak is more expensive than more some rare delicacies such as caviar and comes from Kobe beef, also called Wagyu beef. They are cuts of meat from Tajima-ushi type Wagyu cattle locally raised in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture. There are four breeds of Wagyu: the Japanese Shorthorn, Japanese Polled, Japanese Brown and the Japanese Black under which the Tajima-ushi cattle are classified.

Kobe beef is well marbled, fatty, flavorful and tender. It's a delicacy in Japan and the cattle are subjected to a very strict but very traditional method of farming, feeding and slaughter. Cattle are fed on an organic diet that includes the regular consumption of beer in order to induce a large appetite. They are even given regular massages to distribute fats evenly throughout their bodies. There are only few authorized slaughterhouses in Japan where Wagyus are permitted to be brought for the production of meat. These abattoirs are all located within Hyogo Prefecture. Once the meat has passed rigorous quality standards, it is then exported and served as a specialty dish in restaurants worldwide.

2012-02-22

Wagyu: Japan's Pride in Top Quality Beef

Japan is not only known for its rich history but also for producing the world's finest meat product, Kobe beef. Such beef is the highest quality meat produced from Wagyu, a word that refers to several breeds of cattle in Japan. It is basically a one-word term for "Japanese cow." More specifically speaking, Kobe beef comes from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu cows. This breed is often simply referred to as "Tajima cattle."

Wagyu first became popular in Japan for its meat’s extreme marbling and high production of oleaginous unsaturated fat believed by many to generate enhanced juiciness, tenderness and flavor. Meat from Wagyu is not only commonly considered as the finest in the world but also the most expensive. For this reason, countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom continue to develop imitative procedures to be able to produce their own Kobe beef. The result of these replications is called Kobe-style beef. It is a less expensive meat, but also a juicy, marble-textured and tender one, albeit of a darker color.

Check what is considered the best steak online. Kobe-style beef, no matter how hard the developers of the producers try, can never be truly called Kobe beef. The primary reason is because the trademark, "Kobe beef," already belongs to Japan and refers to beef only produced by Tajima cattle from there. Another main reason is because Kobe beef is produced strictly from the black Tajima breed of Wagyu, while the Kobe-style beef could be a mixture of Wagyu and Angus cattle or other breeds. The easiest way to tell the difference is by simply looking at the price tag. Kobe-style beef’s is priced around $50 per pound, while Kobe beef can be as much as ten times that. With such a hefty price tag, it may be worth tasting at least once in your life. Aside from being extremely tasty, it is proven to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that have good health benefits.

There are three other major breeds of Wagyu aside from the Japanese black Tajima used to produce Kobe beef. There are also the Japanese Shorthorn, the Japanese Polled and the Japanese Brown. Sub breed names under these major breeds are Kumamoto, Kochi, Shimane, Tottori and Hida.

Other countries that also breed the Wagyu cattle include Australia, which is next to Japan, in terms of numbers in Wagyu production, and the United States, where Wagyu are normally cross bred with their native Angus cattle.

2012-02-20

Search Kobe Steaks Online to know more about the world's Finest Beef

If you're a culinary enthusiast, you may have already heard about Kobe steaks – not only about how they taste, but also how much they cost. You may have heard about the peculiar methods of how the Wagyu cattle are farmed and grown, and wonder, could it be true? Do Tajima cattle in Japan really have regular massages and are they given beer? Are their coats brushed with sake? Well, let’s find out.

Firstly, it is not a culinary myth that the black Tajima-ushi cattle variety of the Wagyu breed get regular massages. It is very true that Japanese farm owners hire massagers to regularly do the task on the cows' bodies. The purpose of this is to promote the even distribution of fats in the cow meat. Early Japanese farmers concluded, after practicing and experimenting with this method, that cows produce better marbled meat, thus, giving a more intense flavor, as well as better tenderness and juiciness. They also believe that massaging cows make them calmer and happier, and that these feelings lead to better digestion.

Giving the cattle beer is also as true as the massaging. This is done regularly, especially during the summer months. This kind of feeding program stimulates the cows' appetites to consume more high-quality grains and grass.

The reason why Japanese farmers brush the coats of cows is that they believe the appearance of the fur has great significance regarding the appearance of their meat. Therefore, the thinking goes that when a cow's coat looks healthy and shiny, so does their meat.

Few restaurants offer genuine Kobe steaks online because it's not easy to purchase them. Kobe beef slices are available in some niche markets, but at steep prices. For example, a Kobe beef burger has a starting price of $65 apiece. While Kobe beef is no doubt expensive, the cost is understandable as it's not widely produced like other beef. Also, foodies who have tried the meat are usually impressed with the flavor and tenderness. It may also be worth trying for a special occasion or to experience it as a delicacy of Japan.

In the U.S., a less regarded – and cheaper – version of Japan’s Kobe steak is being produced. It is known as Kobe-style steak, and is not bad when it comes to taste and quality. If not produced from pure Wagyu cattle raised in U.S. soil, it's produced from a cross-breed of Wagyu and Angus cattle. So this is an affordable alternative, if you purse strings can’t quite stretch to the price of the Japanese delicacy.