Natural Beef

Buy Naturally Raised Beef

Real Restaurant Beef Article

Natural Beef Or Organic Beef Is Best.

I really feel compelled to "cut to the chase" when discussing beef ...at least buy Natural Beef whenever possible. Certified Organic Beef may be better yet.

The restaurant I owned has served beef for well over three decades. The restaurant is in a small "meat and potato" American town.

The restaurant sells a lot of beef and the beef purchased is more expensive than what its competitors purchase.

That's because the restaurant has always purchased quality beef in terms of grade and how the animal was raised and processed (natural beef or organic beef). The customers (guests) can tell the difference in taste and also (now - finally) understand that the beef served at the restaurant (and in my home) is better for them.

Beef as a domesticated food source has been available for thousands of years. Beef is meat from full-grown cattle (usually about 2 years old). There are dozens of breeds of beef cattle, but the major commercial breeds are Angus, Hereford, Charolaise, Brahman, Highland and now Wig au.

It is not necessarily the breed of cattle that makes a difference in taste, tenderness, or nutrition. More important is how they were raised and processed.

The beef industry has promoted the idea that antibiotics used on an animal "dissipate" prior to the animal being processed. That may be true, (but I personally do not believe it). I choose not to eat beef with even residual amounts remaining in the meat if I have a choice.

Spokespersons for the beef industry may also tell you that the hormones used on cattle promote efficient growth. This may also be true, but I choose not to knowingly eat meat (of any kind) that contains added progesterone, testosterone, zeranol or trenbolone acetate.

There are a number of cattle ranches that raise natural beef and some that raise only certified organic beef. More and more this beef is finding its way into mainstream grocery stores throughout the country. There are also a few very reliable, service-oriented online sources for naturally-raised beef.

What Does "Graded" Mean?

All beef in America must go through an inspection process but not all beef is required to be graded. The overall quality of ungraded beef may be higher or lower than most government (USDA) grades found in retail markets.

"Grading" is examining a cut of beef for "marbling." Marbling is white flecks of fat within the meat muscle. The greater amount of marbling in beef, the higher the grade because marbling usually makes beef more tender, flavorful, and juicy. (Do not think of "marbling" as gristle. It is not.)

The three most common grades of beef we have in supermarkets are "Prime," "Choice," and "Select."Prime is the highest (and most expensive) grade; then Choice and then Select.

If you can, use at least "choice" for most of your recipes.

(Note: Not all meat cutters label the product correctly!)

Some beef companies do not have their meat graded because of the cost. Their beef, as mentioned, is inspected for wholesomeness (safety), but not graded. These are usually small cattle ranchers, many of whom simply cannot afford "graders." And these small ranchers are often the companies raising natural or organic beef.

Why Is Some Beef Aged?

Beef is aged to develop additional tenderness and flavor. It is done commercially under controlled temperatures and humidity. Beef can be "wet aged," meaning it ages after being sealed in a bag, or it can be "dry-aged" meaning it ages before being sealed.

Aging increases the cost of the beef.

Natural or organic ranchers saw three significant items that needed to change:

• The middleman.  Through and through, the "middleman" always seems to care less about quality and more about high volume and cheap prices. Many ranchers have eliminated the middleman and sell their beef directly to retailers or online. This allows them to focus on producing the highest quality beef available.
• The treatment of cattle. These ranchers know that the better you raise the cattle, the better the beef. Additionally, these companies have the same concerns as I have mentioned and as many other people have today about the chemicals found in much of the nation’s food supply. So, they joined efforts with other like-minded ranchers who would humanely raise all-natural beef (or organic beef) without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics.
• The accountability for quality. These new ranchers are responsible for their own product. There is no passing the buck if something isn't right; people are held accountable for providing consistent, quality product. All the while, ranchers focus on doing the best job possible in husbanding the land, the animals, and the cowboys and cowgirls who take care of them. These ranchers produce the calves, process the cattle, and lease the warehouses and final distribution trucks. The beef is under their control at all times, and to this day, these companies trace individual cattle from birth to the dinner plate.

It is the meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality that is propelling natural and organic beef ranchers to the forefront of so-called gourmet beef.

The Practicality of Buying Natural Beef

So what do we do when we go to the grocery store?

First, look at what is available. More and more supermarkets are now carrying natural beef and / or organic beef. They have recognized the market's direction. If you can, buy that natural beef or organic beef and use the guidelines below.

If you do not have natural or organic beef in your grocery, do two things: ask them to start handling this beef (they will if they get the requests) and until they do, buy the best alternative you can afford using the following general guidelines.

Enjoy the beef you prepare and the company of those you share it with!

Donna

“The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.”

Julia Child