🥩 Japanese Wagyu

Exceptional Meat of Controlled Origin

🌏 Origin & Official Designation

Authentic Japanese Wagyu refers exclusively to cattle born, raised and slaughtered in Japan, from one of the four recognized Japanese breeds:

Kuroge Washu (Japanese black breed) – the most renowned, representing over 90% of Wagyu
Akage Washu
Mukaku Washu
Nihon Tankaku Washu

👉 The term Wagyu can only legally be used for those breeds raised in Japan according to strict standards.

Essential conditions for the Wagyu designation:

🟢 Birth, rearing and slaughter exclusively in Japan
🟢 Controlled feeding (rice straw, cereals, specific silage)
🟢 Long rearing period: up to 36 months
🟢 Average final weight: approximately 700 kg
🟢 Full traceability back to the farm of origin

🧬 Quality & Official Classification System

Wagyu is evaluated according to an ultra-rigorous system, controlled by the:

🔹 Japan Meat Grading Association (JMGA)

Official body accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF).

Evaluation criteria:

Marbling
Texture and fineness of the fibers
Color and shine
Quality and melting of the fat
Carcass yield

🥩 The BMS (Beef Marbling Standard) score

Scale from 1 to 12:

1–3: slight marbling
4–6: good level
7–12: exceptional quality (premium Wagyu)

👉 High-end Wagyu generally have a BMS of 7 to 9, or even higher for exceptional meats.

🐂 Traditional Breeding Methods

Wagyu is raised using methods unique in the world:

🧼 Regular brushing to stimulate blood circulation
🌾 Slow and controlled feeding that promotes marbling
😌 Calm environment reducing stress
🕒 Gradual fattening from 7 months

➡️ Result: ultra-tender meat, rich in taste and perfectly balanced.

🏷️ Wagyu & Regional Labels

Japan has more than 160 Wagyu appellations, each with its own criteria.

A prime example:

🥩 Kobe Beef

Extremely restricted origin (Hyōgo prefecture)
Quality standards among the strictest in the world
Very limited production
Reserved for the gastronomic elite

🍽️ Taste Qualities

✔️ Exceptional marbling → unparalleled melt-in-your-mouth texture
✔️ Intense umami flavor
✔️ Silky texture

🏆 Japanese Wagyu: Absolute Excellence

Japanese Wagyu embodies:

🇯🇵 Ancestral Japanese know-how
🔬 Perfect traceability
🥩 Unrivaled quality
🍽️ A gastronomic experience unique in the world

More than just meat: a culinary heritage.