Why Is Kobe Beef So Expensive?

Cuisine / By

If you are interested in Japanese cuisine you will most likely have heard of Kobe beef. But this delicious delicacy is super expensive. Why is that? Find out the answer to this question and everything else you need to know in this article on the topic. 

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What Is Kobe Beef?

Why Is Kobe Beef So Expensive

Kobe beef is a special variety of wagyu beef. But what exactly makes this cut of meat so special? Well, it all comes down to how the cattle are raised and how they are fed.

The cattle that are used to make kobe and wagyu beef are cared for in a very specific way. The feed these animals subsume is made from a combination of the following: 

  • Grasses
  • Forage
  • Rice Straw
  • Corn
  • Barley
  • Soybean
  • Wheat Bran
  • Beer
  • Saki

Yes, you read that right, in some cases, these cattle are even fed beer and sake. But because of these extraordinary methods of feeding and raising these cattle, it takes a lot longer for these cattle to be ready to be harvested.

But, because of these amazing and decadent feeding methods, the fat marbling of this meat is extraordinary. It not only improves the taste, it also makes the fat melt at a lower temperature.

Kobe beef is rich, buttery, and absolutely delicious in flavor. Kobe beef is decadently marbled with fat which adds to the perfect flavoring of this meat. 

But why is kobe beef so expensive? In the next section, we are going to talk about why this is the case. 

Why Is Kobe Beef So Expensive?

Kobe beef is one of the most expensive types of beef in the whole world. But why is this the case? It can be very exciting to see kobe beef on the menu at any restaurant. But when you see this beef you can rest assured that you will be paying a pretty penny for it.

So, why is it so expensive? Well, the main reason for kobe beef’s extortionate price is because of the way that these animals have been raised and the breed of cow that this meat is harvested from.

Firstly as we have discussed, these cattle are fed a decadent meal daily which can contribute to the high price of kobe beef. On top of that these cattle come from a breed known as Tajima-gye which is an ancient breed from the second century.

They became isolated in the Japanese mountains and lived in small pockets of cultivated land which is one reason they are said to be renowned for their tender and unique tasting beef. 

What Makes Kobe Beef Authentic?

So, what makes kobe beef authentic? Well, there are a few things that this beef needs in order to be kobe beef. Below are the things that kobe beef must have in order to be considered kobe beef: 

  • The cattle being harvested must have a purebred lineage from the Tajima-gyu cattle.
  • The cattle being harvested must have been born and raised in the Hyogo Prefecture.
  • The cattle being harvested must be a young castrated bull or a virgin cow.
  • The cattle being harvested must be fed only foods that have come from within the Hyogo Prefecture.
  • The cattle being harvested must only be harvested and processed in slaughterhouses that have been approved by the Hyogo Prefecture.
  • The beef must have a fat to beef marbling ratio of at least six or above.
  • The beef must have a top-grade quality score of A4 or A5 at the very least.
  • The cattle being harvested must have a weight of at least one thousand and thirty-six pounds after the animal has been slaughtered. 
  • The cattle being harvested must have an assigned ten-digit ID number that shows its authenticity and can be traced. 

The sad truth is that despite many restaurants claiming that they are using kobe beef they are more than likely not.

This is because in Japan where the Tajima-gyu cattle are raised and harvested there are very strict laws that have been put in place that restrict the usage of the term ‘kobe beef’.

This is not a law that is recognized in other countries a lot of the time which is why many restaurants that claim to be serving kobe beef are not caught out.  

Why Is Kobe Beef So Expensive (1)

How Is Kobe Beef Different from Wagyu Beef?

If you have heard of kobe beef you will no doubt have heard about wagyu beef. But what is the difference between these two delicious delicacies?

Contrary to popular belief these two are not the same even though some people use the names interchangeably. So, what is the big difference between wagyu beef and kobe beef? 

The main difference comes down to the cattle that are used. Kobe beef is made from Tajima-gyu cattle which are the black variety of this cow.

While wagyu beef is made for cattle that have been bred in Japan, they do not have to be the very specific breed of cow that kobe beef comes from. 

Final Thoughts

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article on why kobe beef is so expensive. To summarize for you quickly. The reason that this delicacy is so pricey comes down to several main factors.

The first one is that these cattle are fed a very specific diet and are cared for in a particular way. Kobe beef is also made from Tajima-Guy cattle alone and these animals must be approved by the Hyogo Prefecture.

On top of the specific breed and feeding that these animals must go through, kobe beef must meet very specific requirements when it comes to the fat marbling, size of the cow, and many other requirements that must meet a certain standard. 

In short, kobe beef is expensive because of the specific feed, environment, breed, care, and standards that must be met before it can be given the name of ‘kobe beef’. 

We hope that you have enjoyed reading our article on this topic and we hope that you will find enjoyment reading our other content. Have a fantastic day and we will see you around!

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