What is Prime meat all about? Blue Butcher Bar & Restaurant
ď‚— The term 'prime meat' is
often thrown around a lot in advertisements, but if you don't know what it actually means, then the terminology is just another word to you. Prime meat actually refers to meat of the absolute highest quality.
ď‚— It tends to come in limited supplies, and only
around the top 3% of all meat is good enough to be considered prime. Of course, prime meat comes with a high price tag due to its natural flavor. Prime meat also has high amounts of marbling, making it one of the best cuts of meat available.
Prime is determined by two
main factors: the ratio of marbling and the age of the beef. The younger the beef is, the more likely it will be rated as prime, but only if it has sufficient marbling to match. To ensure the beef you purchase is actually prime, look for the "USDA Shield.” If it isn't present, the term is nothing more than a marketing tool; all
true prime beef is graded by the USDA. However, as mentioned previously, less than 2% of the beef in the United States is actually prime. This is the type of meat you'll find at most upscale restaurants.
ď‚— There are nine main cuts of beef: the hip, sirloin, flank, loin,
plate, rib, brisket, chuck, and shank. The cut of the meat doesn't demean the quality, although some cuts are preferable to others. Prime beef will be just as delicious if it comes from the shank as if it comes from the hip, however, as the grade is determined by the condition of the overall beast.
ď‚— The best way to cook a bit of
prime beef is to first cook it at a lower temperature for a few minutes at a low temperature (less than 200 degrees F) to lock in the juices, then remove it, let it rest, and place it back in a hot oven (550 degrees F) for around 8 minutes.
ď‚— However, keep in mind that each piece of meat is different.
To get the best results, pay close attention to the ingredients and keep an eye on it. Skill with cooking comes with experience, so if you've never cooked beef before, consider starting with a lower quality piece than prime.
ď‚— For some of the best prime beef
in the world, pay a visit to Blue Butcher, a Wagyu steak house in Hong Kong. Wagyu refers to a specific type of cattle, bred to produce as much marbling as possible within the meet.
ď‚— It comes from four breeds of Japanese cattle and is almost impossible
to find outside of that part of the world. If ever you visit Hong Kong, don't pass up the opportunity to visit this steak house and enjoy some of the most delicious meat you'll ever come across.
Blue Butcher 108 Hollywood Road, Central,
Hong Kong 2613 9286 reservations@bluebutcher.com http://www.bluebutcher.com