When you think of Matsusaka beef, what image comes to mind?
It's easy to imagine that branded beef is a luxury item, but what kind of beef is Matsusaka beef in the first place?

What kind of beef is Matsusaka beef?

In fact, there are several conditions that must be met for beef cattle to be recognized as Matsusaka beef!

Beef that meets all of the above conditions and is shipped is designated as Matsusaka beef.

So, what are the characteristics of Matsusaka beef compared to other types of beef in terms of taste and texture?

To find out the answer, we spoke to Mr. Kameda, the managing director of Matsusaka Maruyoshi, which sells Matsusaka beef and operates restaurants in and around MatsusakaCity!

Characteristics of the taste of Matsusaka beef

What should be noted here is the "marbling" that is the most distinctive feature of Matsusaka beef's appearance.
The secret to the deliciousness of Matsusaka beef lies in the fine marbling (fat) throughout the meat!

Unsaturated fatty acids are said to have the effect of regulating neutral fat and cholesterol levels and making the blood thinner.
Matsusaka beef fat contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid.
Unsaturated fatty acids are also found in large amounts in fish and olive oil, which are said to be light and healthy for the body.
Therefore, it's not too fatty and you can eat it easily, and it's also nice to be able to eat it without feeling guilty.

Melting point is the temperature at which a solid melts.
The melting point of regular beef fat is 25.9℃, but in Matsusaka beef it is around 17℃!
It is so delicate that it melts instantly even under the heat of a person's hands, which is why it has a melt-in-your-mouth texture when you put it in your mouth.

When Matsusaka beef is heated, it emits a unique sweet and fragrant aroma called ``Wagyu incense''.
The elegant coconut-like scent of Wagyu beef is unique to Matsusaka beef.
The aroma spreads along with the fat that sizzles, and your appetite increases!

In other words, the marbled meat with fine marbling is rich in high-quality fat, giving it an even sweeter aroma and melt-in-the-mouth texture!

Farmers who raise delicious Matsusaka beef

So, what kind of ingenuity is used to make Matsusaka beef meat so exquisitely marbled?

Fattening farms in the Matsusaka beef production area of the prefecture use a variety of fattening methods to manage the physical condition of the cows and relieve stress.

Each farmer takes care to fatten Matsusaka beef in their own way, not only by keeping the cowshed clean and comfortable, but also by providing physical contact with them through careful brushing and massage, and by taking them for walks to relieve stress. Masu.
Apparently, some cows are even given beer to increase their appetite!

Does each cow have a number?

This is how Matsusaka beef is carefully fattened and delivered to the people who eat it.
The Matsusaka Beef Individual Identification Management System, which is one of the definitions of Matsusaka Beef, allows you to know when a Matsusaka Beef was born, where it was fattened, how much it was fattened, and when it was shipped..

Each Matsusaka beef cow has an individual identification number, and by looking up the number you can see the history of that cow!


So how can we find out the individual identification number?

This Matsusaka Beef Certificate shows information such as the individual identification number of Matsusaka Beef and its rank, which is often referred to as A4 or A5.
At Maruyoshi, customers who purchase meat are given a Matsusaka beef certificate or individual identification number information, and individual identification numbers are also displayed on the products displayed at the store. .

``With this kind of system, customers can eat Matsusaka beef with peace of mind and have an opportunity to become interested in Matsusaka beef,'' says Kameda.
Matsusaka beef, which is prepared with an understanding of its quality, is exceptionally delicious.

Approximately 4% of all Matsusaka beef. What is the rare “special Matsusaka beef”?

As shown in the Matsusaka Beef Certificate, A4 and A5 ranks indicate that the meat is of high quality, but even within Matsusaka Beef, a stricter definition has been established, and it is said to be the best Matsusaka Beef. This is "Special Matsusaka Beef".

In other words, the fattening period is even longer than that of regular Matsusaka beef.
``Extending the fattening period even further is like aging meat while it's still alive,'' says Kameda.
By growing the meat slowly and for a long time, the flavor of the red meat is concentrated, and the melting point of the fat is also lowered.
It has fine marbling that is invisible to the naked eye, resulting in the finest marbled meat.
Not only does it have more flavor, but it also has a texture that melts in your mouth the moment you put it in your mouth!

However, there are few farmers who produce ``Special Matsusaka Beef,'' which is more expensive and risky to fatten than regular Matsusaka Beef, and it is said that it is difficult to stably purchase it.
If you ever come across the precious ``Special Matsusaka Beef'', you should definitely try it.

When I asked Mr. Kameda about the effects of the recent coronavirus pandemic, he said that stores and farmers that sell Matsusaka beef have had a hard time, as the number of tourists has decreased significantly and people are refraining from eating out.

Maruyoshi has taken various measures, such as increasing the number of take-out bento products that are in demand, and drastically reducing prices to prevent food waste caused by unsold items, and the number of customers is now slowly returning.




Matsusaka beef can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including steak, where you can enjoy the natural flavor and texture of the meat, and sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, where you can enjoy the full flavor of the melted fat.
The next time you taste Matsusaka beef, be sure to pay attention to the beautiful marbling and the process that goes into getting Matsusaka beef to us!

Click here to see the store that taught us about the appeal of Marbled Matsusaka Beef!

Check out the restaurants where you can eat Matsusaka beef here!
“Meat Town Matsusaka” campaign site

Article production: MSLP & Senmaki Printing Industry Co., Ltd.