12/22/2024
Purely a knowledge post for anyone interested in it.
Hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happ new years God bless and stay safe.
**Understanding Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Finished Beef:**
We’ve noticed a lot of people asking if their beef is 100% grass-fed. So, here’s a bit of info for anyone interested!
First, it’s important to understand that **99% of beef is not 100% grass-fed**, and there’s a reason for that. While cows can graze on grass for most of their lives, feeding them **only grass** from start to finish can make the meat tougher and drier.
Why? Well, grass-fed cows have leaner meat, and without any additional fat, the beef lacks the tenderness and juiciness that many people prefer. The key to **marbling**—that tasty fat that makes steaks so juicy and tender—is found in the final phase of feeding.
Most farmers **grain-finish** their cows. This means, towards the end of their lives, cows are fed grains like corn to help them put on fat. This extra fat marbling is what gives the beef its flavor, tenderness, and juiciness, making for a more desirable eating experience.
So, if you’re after that **tender, juicy steak**, it's likely going to need a grain-finished component. **100% grass-fed beef** can still be delicious, but it won’t have the same level of marbling or moisture.
Hopefully, this clears things up for those wondering why beef is often not 100% grass-fed!
