Wagyu beef is some of the finest meat in the world, but do Wagyu cows really spend time listening to music?
There are many myths surrounding Wagyu cows: they’re fed beer, are given massages, or they listen to classical music to relax. While none of these myths have been debunked, they’re not standard fact, either. Wagyu cows can listen to music, but it’s not a necessity.
Read on to learn more about the sought-after Wagyu and how it’s raised.
The Wagyu Deal
To answer any questions regarding Wagyu cows, you have to first establish what a Wagyu cow actually is.
Put simply, ‘Wagyu’ means ‘Japanese cow’. There are a few variants, but it’s a misconception that ‘Wagyu’ means one specific cow or a single type of beef.
Technically, the sought-after and exquisite cut of beef that people are often referring to is called Kobe. While this does come from Wagyu, it’s taken from a specific breed of cow, from one particular location in Japan.
For Wagyu meat to be categorized as Kobe, it must be taken from the Tajima-gyu cattle. More specifically, the Tajima-gyu cattle found in the Hyogo prefecture.
The capital of this prefecture is Kobe and serves as the namesake for the beef.
Kobe beef is the prized cut, long made famous for the tenderness of the meat and alleged incredible flavor. It has a unique distribution of fat, known as marbling, that offers a ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ quality.
It’s these properties that contribute to Kobe’s massive value. If you’re looking for a single pound of the meat, it might cost as much as two hundred dollars.
Although, the finest Wagyu steaks have run up costs of over $300 in the United States. It can reportedly cost as much as thirty thousand dollars to buy a single Wagyu cow.
In 2002, a single Wagyu cow sold in Japan for around four hundred thousand dollars. It was a record high and is a figure that remains unbeaten.
Farm-Raised
There are several myths surrounding the raising of Wagyu cattle. While they’re not all debunked, it’s been hard to nail any of them down as an absolute fact.
For example, it’s reported that Wagyu cows are given beer, straight from the battle. It’s said that this increases their appetite, which is important when fattening them up.
It’s ideal for the Wagyu to consume a lot of food, as it contributes to the fatty marbling throughout the cuts of beef that are produced later.
Another myth is that Wagyu cows are massaged every day. The assumption is that it will help relax the cows, and further allow for the tender meat to develop.
Although, the most prominent myth that circulates is that Wagyu cows listen to music. There are many reports that suggest classical music relaxes the cows and boosts their appetite.
This ultimately leads to more – and better – fat in the meat.
While there’s no definitive evidence to suggest any of the above are true, there are examples of it occurring.
An article was published in the Huffington Post in 2015 that explored these notions. It was revealed that a Wagyu farmer in Wales did give beer to his cows – and they apparently loved it.
While these myths give way to the image of luxurious lives for the cows, there are those who see Wagyu as being cruel. In 2018, an article was published in a British newspaper that discussed this theory.
They explained that Wagyu cows were ‘dramatically’ overfed, essentially damaging the cows to produce fine meat. They went on to reveal that a ‘vegan’ Wagyu had been made available as an alternative.
Buy the Best
It was only in 2012 that ‘true’ Wagyu was made available in the United States. There was a ban on imports that had existed since the millennium, but when it was lifted, the meat started flowing.
You can now import real Wagyu and Kobe beef from Japan, admittedly for a premium cost. It’s also more readily available in top restaurants and steakhouses.
Although, for steak aficionados, it might be worth paying the price to experience what may be the finest meat.
It’s worth remembering though, that only imported Wagyu meat is legitimate. There’s been a ban on live Wagyu cattle and DNA for years, and there’s no sign of it being lifted any time soon.
If you see a farmer in the United States claiming they have real, true Wagyu, they’re not telling the truth.