Nearly every meat lover in the world has by now heard of the amazing cut of beef called Wagyu. It’s succulent, marbled, and almost melts in your mouth the minute you bite down on it.  Many top chefs think it’s not just a great type of beef, but the absolute best in the world! But do you know where the term Wagyu comes from, what makes it special, and why the American and Japanese versions of Wagyu are actually different? Let’s find out. What is Wagyu beef? To start off, it might help to know what Wagyu beef actually is. The term Wagyu itself means Japanese cattle or cows. This was an ..read more

What do Champagne, Scotch, and Kobe beef all have in common? If you were thinking they are all prerequisites for a good night out you might be right. But they are all also examples of products that have to be produced in certain regions of the world if they are authentic. Fizzy alcoholic drinks made from grapes that are produced outside of Champagne in France is just sparkling wine, just like whiskey distilled outside of Scotland can’t legally be called scotch. What about Wagyu and Kobe beef though? You could say Kobe is just a type of Wagyu like how scotch is a type of whiskey, but it’s a lit ..read more

Delectable, succulent, mouth-watering. These are just a few of the words you’ll almost always hear when people are describing the amazing taste of Wagyu beef. Chefs the world over describe Wagyu as being the absolute best quality when it comes to beef, and its reputation is well deserved! But with several options out there like Japanese Wagyu, American Wagyu, and American Kobe, consumers might find themselves wondering where Wagyu beef actually comes from. Let’s find out! What is authentic Wagyu? When it comes to figuring out if the expensive fancy steak on your plate is truly authentic, her ..read more

The word Wagyu is Japanese but pronouncing it in English isn’t hard at all. Although you may hear it pronounced a few different ways around the internet, the most common way can be found at Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s entry for Wagyu. The first syllable in Wagyu is pronounced the same as the “wa” in water. The second syllable sounds like the “gue” in argue. It’s important to put the stress on the first syllable. It’s “WA-gyu”, not “wa-GYU”. You may sometimes hear another less-common way to pronounce the word Wagyu. The first syllable is pronounced like “wag” and the second syllable is pronoun ..read more

Wagyu beef is famous around the world for being the best beef money can buy. The succulent flavor, the intricate marbling, and the special umami flavor combine to make it a must-try dish for any steak lover. The price tag only adds to its prestige. Pounds of pure Japanese Wagyu beef can go for over $200, if not more! But many myths and theories abound as to what makes these breeds of Japanese cattle so special. One of the most famous theories is that Wagyu cows are massaged daily by their keepers, if you can believe it. Let’s explore if this is more of a myth or a fact. Are Japanese Wagyu catt ..read more

Everyone who’s had the pleasure of eating a delicious morsel of steak has heard of Wagyu beef. After all, it is the champagne of meat, and many people consider it an absolute luxury to eat it. But many people don’t seem to understand what truly makes a Wagyu steak special, nor why we see so many variants that may or may not be the “real thing.”  But don’t fret, that’s what we’re here for! What is Wagyu beef? Wagyu beef is any of four different kinds of Japanese cattle raised specifically in Japan. The name itself — Wagyu — literally means Japanese cattle. The “wa” means Japan and the ..read more

Nearly every meat eater around the world has heard of the cream of the crop when it comes to steaks — Wagyu beef. For some, it invokes images of pampered cows living a life of luxury on green Japanese hillsides. Others, especially those who have tasted it, think of fine dining, prestigious locations, and an amazingly succulent steak. But is it really worth the high price, the prestige, and all the hype about its flavor? Let’s explore just what makes Wagyu beef the best in the world! What is Wagyu beef? Wagyu beef literally means Japanese cattle. The “wa” means Japan and the “gyu” means ..read more

I’m sure you’ve heard of Wagyu beef, but did you ever wonder about the letters and numbers that often come in front of it? At a lucky restaurant or grocer that happens to offer the luxury meat, you might find a label something like the following: A5 Wagyu beef B4 Wagyu beef A3 Wagyu beef So, what’s the deal with those letters and numbers? Let’s find out! What is the Wagyu beef grading system? The JMGA Beef Carcass Grading Standard is the grading system used to measure the quality of Wagyu beef in Japan. The system was created and run by the Japanese Meat Grading Association (the JMGA yo ..read more

Over the last few years, it seems almost every restaurant in the U.S. has an American Kobe or a Wagyu beef burger on the menu. Many people are already familiar with the succulent marbled meat that’s called Wagyu beef. It’s renowned worldwide for its melt-in-your-mouth flavoring, luxury pricing, and near-constant praise.  But not many know about how a form of it is produced in America or how it came to be.  Let’s explore the history of Wagyu beef in the U.S.! Where does Wagyu come from? While the history of Wagyu beef is somewhat complex — with some estimating the lineage of th ..read more

These days, nearly everyone has at least heard of Japanese Wagyu Beef—but have you ever wondered about its history, how it started, and where it comes from? Much like its rich, distinct flavor, Japanese Wagyu has a history that even some of the greatest steak aficionados don’t know about. And of course, it all starts with the cow behind the cuts. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Japanese Wagyu cattle breeds. Overview of Different Types of Japanese Wagyu Cattle The term “wagyu” actually translates to “cow” in Japanese, which makes perfect sense because like othe ..read more