What is Wagyu? | Wagyu Beef Cattle

What is Wagyu Beef?

The term Wagyu refers to all Japanese beef cattle. "Wa" means Japanese, and "gyu" means cow. Wagyu cows are historically hard working draft cattle used in agriculture that were selected for their physical endurance. Often black or red in color these cattle are hard working animals that feature more intra-muscular fat cells - "marbling" - that provides a readily available energy source to the cow as it works. As a human food source, this marbling translates into unmatched flavor, juiciness, and tenderness, while the meat itself provides numerous health benefits. Once you taste Wagyu, you'll know there is no comparison to other types of beef.

Wagyu is arguably the best and most expensive beef money can buy. With its exceptional marbling, superior tenderness and exquisite flavor, it’s no wonder Wagyu is the pinnacle of the beef world… With its proven health benefits, choosing Wagyu isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, it’s great for your heart as well. ~ Wagyu Beef Association

A Healthier Choice

The exquisite tenderness and flavor profile of Wagyu beef comes from its fatty acid composition. Boasting a 2:1 ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids, these monounsaturated fats are not only healthier than saturated fats, they also carry better flavor and a lower melting point which is highly desirable in cooking.

When compared to Angus Beef, Wagyu Beef contains more protein per pound. Even more interesting, the high levels of Oleic Acid (commonly known as Omega-9) are on par with that of Chicken and Salmon. Oleic Acid has been found to raise HDL Cholesterol levels in our bloodstream, which are the good cholesterol molecules that then carry the health destroying LDL Cholesterol out of the bloodstream. See the study here.

Healthy Cows Make Healthy Beef

Our Wagyu cattle are born and raised here at Morgan Brook Farm in Westford, Vermont. The calves then roam the pasture along side their mother and will feed on its mother for up to 6 months before being weaned and transitioned into the field with a separate herd. Throughout the year, our cattle feed on grass pasture, hay, silage, and grains that are grown here at Morgan Brook Farm.

A happy cow, makes a tasty cow, and our herdsmen admit, some cows do become as close as pets. Our team works hard to be hands on with the herd and to ensure each cow lives it's best, low stress life.

To help manage the herd we complete a DNA profile on each cow that helps us promote good breeding, and healthy stock.

Wagyu is best cooked thin in a hot cast iron pan. You don’t need oil, just use a bit of kosher salt. As soon as the salt starts to turn brown it is ready for your steak. A couple minutes on each side in a hot pan (not a smoking burning pan, just a hot pan) you’ll have a crusty flavor explosion full of trapped in fatty juices. You’ll feel like you have lip balm on your lips for 1-2 hours after, it is so good!” ~ Todd, Butcher at Butcher Barn