The 3-word phrase “premium beef” can appear anywhere, from restaurants to beef wholesalers in the market. But this is not a phrase that can be used arbitrarily, at least with American cows.
When we go out to eat at restaurants, or even go to buy beef at import establishments, the phrase “premium beef” always seems to appear on the menu. But is anyone confident that they can distinguish between Australian beef, American beef, and Japanese beef, and whether the quality is superior or secondary?
The beef tray is advertised as “premium” on social media.
In fact, premium or not is largely based on … the seller’s advertising. The seller with the heart will get a good cow, otherwise it will be lower quality meat compared to the price. Moreover, the phrase “superior” is being used somewhat rampantly, because for many people it is good to just “be imported” and it is already ranked in the top class.
Definitely not! In the US, “premium” beef is a real concept, called “prime” , and it is a standard set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Prime is actually used to rank other meats – including veal and lamb – based on juiciness, flavor and texture.
An American “Prime” grade beef.
These criteria are assessed based on the fatty veins on the grain and the “age” of the cow. As for the texture, don’t confuse it with the fat covering the meat. It should be the fat spots inside the grain, which have the effect of increasing the flavor and juiciness of the meat. As for age, the younger the cow (not the calf), the softer the meat will be. Therefore, the “prime” standard will be reserved for the youngest cows, and with the most fat veins.
But because it is the highest quality meat, it cannot be widely and widely available. A piece of meat that comes from a “Prime” grade cow must be of top quality. And according to USDA statistics, each year only less than 2% of beef in the United States passes rigorous testing to be labeled “Prime “.
Prices for “premium” Prime cows will not be cheap.
Of course, the price for “premium” Prime beef will not be cheap . According to a reference from Costco – a famous US wholesale store chain, 1kg of Prime beef tenderloin will cost about 800,000/kg. If imported to Vietnam, the price will fluctuate around 1 million VND.
U.S. beef grade “Prime” must have a USDA certification stamp. It was shaped like a shield, and it clearly said “USDA Prime”. The stamp will be printed on the largest piece of meat, and in the packaging as well.
U.S. beef grade “Prime” must have a USDA certification stamp.
But besides Prime, the USDA has two other ratings for slightly inferior quality beef, Choice and Select. As follows:
US beef rating.
There are also Standard and Commercial, which refer to frozen meats commonly sold in US supermarket chains.
In the US, it is illegal to sell Prime meat without providing a meat quality inspection (stamp stamp), or using ambiguous language. For example, restaurants will not be allowed to name a dish “prime rib”, because it can cause confusion. It is not a word that is used arbitrarily.