Monday, December 19, 2011

USDA PRIME, USDA CHOICE & OTHER GRADES OF BEEF


All beef is not created equal. The quality depends on not only the stock but the animal’s environment, type of feed, slaughter technique, aging, butchering, packaging and other factors, a key factor of which is marbling. The eight USDA grades are Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter and Canner. USDA Prime is generally only available to restaurants and specialty butcher shops. The best quality sold at supermarkets is generally USDA Choice, although many markets sell only Select. If the grade is not indicated, ask. Only 2% to 3% of all beef produced is graded USDA Prime.  About 58% of all beef produced is graded USDA Choice. The grading is based on three factors: the proportion of meat to bone (conformation), the proportion of fat to lean (finish) and overall quality. Beef grade is largely determined by the nature of the steer, although the industry tries, through breeding and feeding practices, to raise cattle that will earn a Choice grade.

We have always sold Choice Rib Roast here at Wassi's Meat Market. There generally is no demand for "PRIME" in our area. People just won't pay the price.We have recently seen an interest in "PRIME "cuts in our shop and for the first time this year we are offering "PRIME" Rib Roast. We will still offer Choice as well.

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