Wagyu facts for kids
Wagyu (和牛, Wagyū) means "Japanese cattle." It refers to four special breeds of cattle from Japan. These cattle are famous for their meat, which is known for being very tender and having a lot of fine fat marbling. This marbling makes the meat juicy and flavorful.
Many places in Japan name their Wagyu beef after their region, like Kobe beef or Matsusaka beef. Over time, Wagyu cattle have been fed in ways that make them grow larger and have more of that special fat marbling.
Contents
The History of Wagyu Cattle
Wagyu cattle have a long history in Japan. There are four main breeds of Wagyu:
- Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu)
- Japanese Polled (Mukaku Washu)
- Japanese Brown (Akage Washu or Akaushi)
- Japanese Shorthorn (Nihon Tankaku Washu)
The Japanese Black breed is the most common, making up about 90% of all Wagyu cattle raised in Japan. Some well-known types of Japanese Black cattle include Tajima and Tottori. The Japanese Brown breed is also important, and it's sometimes called Japanese Red. The Japanese Shorthorn is much rarer, making up less than one percent of all Wagyu cattle in Japan.
Wagyu Around the World
Wagyu cattle are not just found in Japan anymore. Farmers in many other countries now raise these special cattle.
Wagyu in Australia
Australia has the largest Wagyu cattle association outside of Japan. Both purebred Wagyu and mixed-breed Wagyu cattle are raised there. Australian Wagyu beef is sold in many countries, including the U.S., China, and the U.K. These cattle are often fed grains for a long time before they are ready. Some Wagyu cattle in Australia's Margaret River region even get red wine mixed into their feed!
Wagyu in the United States
In the United States, some Wagyu cattle are bred with another type of cattle called Aberdeen Angus cattle. This mix is sometimes called "American Style Kobe Beef" or "Wangus." However, many American farmers also raise purebred Wagyu cattle that come directly from the original Japanese lines. These purebred animals are registered with the American Wagyu Association.
Wagyu in Canada
Wagyu farming started in Canada after 1991, and the Canadian Wagyu Association was formed. You can find Wagyu farms in many Canadian provinces, like Alberta and Ontario. Canadian Wagyu beef is exported to places like the U.S. and Europe.
Wagyu in the United Kingdom
In 2008, a group of Wagyu cattle was brought to North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. The first Wagyu beef from these herds became available in 2011. Since then, more Wagyu herds have started in Scotland. A special group called the Wagyu Breeders Association Ltd was created in 2014 to support Wagyu farming in the UK.
See also
In Spanish: Wagyū para niños
