Kobe beef (神戸ビーフ Kōbe Bīfu) refers to cuts of beef from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyū cattle, raised according to strict tradition in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The meat is generally considered to be a delicacy, renowned for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Kobe beef can be prepared as steak, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, sashimi, teppanyaki and more. The beef is also eaten raw by people in Japan as in the form of sushi.
Kobe beef is also called "Kobe meat" (神戸肉 Kobe niku), "Kobe-gyu" (神戸牛, lit Kobe cow) or "Kobe-ushi" (神戸牛, lit Kobe cow) in Japanese.[1]
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The Wagyu cattle that produce this highly-prized meat were introduced into Japan in the second century as work animals, used in rice cultivation. As beef consumption became more prominent in society, farmers began hiring workers to massage the animals' backsides to improve meat quality. The mountainous topography of the islands of Japan resulted in small regions of isolated breeding, yielding herds that developed and maintained qualities in their meat that differ significantly from all other breeds of cattle. Herd isolation and distinctive feeding techniques, which resulted from the limited land availability, have led to distinguishing features that make the meat both superior in marbling and in the ratios of unsaturated versus saturated fats.
The cows are fed on grain fodder and brushed sometimes for setting fur.[2][3] The Kobe beef marketing and distribution promotion association plans to make available a pamphlet in foreign languages with details about Kobe beef due to ambiguities about what actually constitutes Kobe beef, and because many tourists who visit Japan request information about the product.[4] The melting point of fat of Kobe beef (Tajima cattle) is lower than common beef fat.[5]
Kobe beef in Japan is a registered trademark of the Kobe beef marketing and distribution promotion association.[6] It must fulfill all the following conditions:[1]
The massive increase in popularity of Kobe beef in the United States has led to the creation of "Kobe-style" beef, taken from domestically-raised Wagyū crossbred with Angus cattle, to meet the demand. Farms in America and Britain have attempted to replicate the Kobe traditions, providing their Wagyū herds with beer.[8] U.S meat producers claim that any differences between their less expensive "Kobe-style" beef and true Kobe beef are largely cosmetic.[9] The cattle are fed American and/or British grass and grain, which is different from the more expensive Japanese feed.[10] Cuts of American "Kobe-style" beef tend to have darker meat and a bolder flavor.[11]
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