What is Wagyu steak?
Why is Wagyu steak so special?
The term Wagyu refers to all Japanese beef cattle. There is an almost legendary status that surrounds wagyu beef and wagyu steaks. Wagyu steaks are widely regarded as some of the best in the world, but why? Well, wagyu steak is not your average steak. Its uniqueness is its tenderness and flavour. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth steak experience.
Traditionally from Japan – Wagyu means ‘Japanese cow’. The exceptional tenderness and flavour of wagyu steak is as a result of its marbling. The marbling is evenly distributed throughout the meat to gives it a buttery texture which remains moist and juicy throughout cooking.
How is Wagyu steak different from other steaks?
What grade is the best Wagyu steak?
Wagyu has a superior quality and distinct characteristics which results from Wagyu cattle having a genetic predisposition to producing meat with a high degree of marbling. This combined with their high-quality diet and being kept in best environment, it results in exceptional meat quality.
Wagyu beef has a grading system which is based on the level of marbling, colour and firmness. The highest grade is A5, which is the best of the best. A beef with an A5 Wagyu grading will have a deep red colour and lots of marbling which will make it exceptionally tender. Other grades will offer a fantastic steak experience but may have less marbling.
Japanese Wagyu beef at Bricco e Bacco
Spanish Wagyu beef at Bricco e Bacco
Kyushu Black cattle are blessed with sun and the natural warm, tropical surroundings of Kyushu Island where there is plenty of room to roam. There are four different types of Wagyu cattle: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Polled. Japanese Black cattle comprise about 90% of Wagyu cattle breeds. The Japanese Wagyu served at Bricco e Bacco is grade A5 with the highest level of marbling and softness.
The special diet, enjoyed by Wagyu cattle from our producer in Spain, is prepared by Finca Santa Rosalia. The food is based on corn or straw, between 7-9 cooked cereals made into muesli, with some natural antioxidants from the nearby wine production added. This diet allows the animals to have healthy and less stressed digestive systems. The feeding system is freely available throughout the day which allows the animals to eat calmly and not compete for food.
