The use of tallow in food preparation dates back thousands of years. Its long-standing use can be attributed to its nutritional benefits and versatility. In today’s era of increased production demands, people are seeking high-quality beef tallow. Among these, grass-fed beef tallow is particularly preferred for being more nutritious and health-promoting.
Apart from this, people’s interest in the search for good quality tallow is also increasing towards Wagyu beef tallow. Now the question arises that what is Wagyu beef tallow, what are its major uses, and what is the right way to get it? Let’s understand in detail.
What is Beef Tallow?
Beef tallow is rendered fat prepared from cow suet. The suet from which the tallow is separated is usually taken from the areas around the kidneys and loins of cattle.
To obtain tallow from suet, the suet is heated over a low flame. This process melts the fat, allowing it to separate from the solid impurities. As the fat liquefies, the impurities settle at the bottom. The tallow is then collected by filtering out these solid particles.
Beef tallow is solid at room temperature and liquefies upon heating because it is high in saturated fat. It is most commonly used for cooking or frying but tallow is also used to make candles, soaps, or as a moisturizer for skin care.
Also Read: Is Beef Tallow Healthy? – Unveiling the Facts
What is Wagyu Beef Tallow?
The term Wagyu refers to specific breeds of Japanese cows. It includes four major breeds: Japanese Black (Kuroge), Japanese Brown (Akage), Japanese Shorthorn (Tankaku), and Japanese Polled (Mukaku). Wagyu cattle are also raised in many other countries, with large-scale production taking place in Australia and the United States.
Wagyu beef is known for its high meat fat, marbling, tenderness, and special flavor. It is also considered more nutritious than regular beef as it is high in monounsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Therefore, it is one of the most expensive and delicious beef in the world.
Difference Between Regular and Wagyu Beef Tallow
Wagyu beef tallow and regular beef tallow have the same method of extraction or processing, but there are significant differences in their taste, nutrition, and quality. Wagyu Beef tallow is known for its high quality and unique taste, which makes it different from regular Beef Tallow.
How to Use Wagyu Beef Tallow?
There isn’t a significant difference in the uses of regular beef tallow and Wagyu beef tallow, so Wagyu beef tallow can be used just like regular beef tallow.
However, the higher quality and unique flavor of Wagyu beef tallow set it apart. Its flavor is richer and more buttery, making it especially suitable for gourmet dishes like steak, bread, or pastries.
It can be preferred for enhancing the flavor of special recipes. For example, it can be used for smoking brisket. After trimming the fat from the brisket, spreading Wagyu beef tallow on the meat restores its rich, fatty flavor, making it juicier and more tender.
Some people use tallow for skin health as a moisturizer or beauty product. Choosing a product that contains Wagyu beef tallow may be more beneficial, as it is richer in nutrients than regular tallow. However, scientific evidence to support these claims is limited.
How to Store Wagyu Beef Tallow?
Storing Wagyu beef tallow is as simple as you would do with regular beef tallow. If you purchase Wagyu beef tallow from the market, the jar will likely have a label indicating storage instructions and the shelf life.
If it stored at room temperature, Wagyu beef tallow has a shorter shelf life, typically around 1–3 months, as its high fat content makes it more prone to oxidation and spoilage compared to regular tallow. However, when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can last up to 6–12 months.
To maximize Wagyu beef tallow shelf life, keep it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat.
Where to Buy Wagyu Beef Tallow?
Buying a piece of Wagyu beef and getting the tallow out of it can be a stressful task for some people.
However, you don’t need to worry, as various reputable brands sell pure Wagyu beef tallow, which can be purchased both online and offline. South Chicago Packing and Fatworks are particularly popular, with high ratings on Amazon. Buy them and enjoy the rich meat fat, tenderness, and unique flavor of Wagyu beef tallow.
Conclusion
Wagyu refers to certain major Japanese cattle breeds, and the tallow derived from their suet is known as Wagyu beef tallow. This type of tallow has a higher fat content, better marbling, greater tenderness, a unique flavor, and is more nutritious. Therefore, it can be used to enhance the flavor of food. Due to the increasing demand, Wagyu beef is also produced in the US, and it can be easily purchased online and offline.