As more people come to realize the delicacy that is Wagyu beef, the search for authentic Wagyu has picked up across the world. However, given that Wagyu beef must come from specific breeds of Japanese cattle, many people are wondering: Is it even possible to buy authentic Wagyu in America?
The answer is “yes,” but with an asterisk. There are only a select number of farms that raise and sell authentic Wagyu beef within the United States. To understand what to look for when tracking down your own American source of authentic Wagyu beef, continue reading below.
A Backstory that Checks Out
There’s no doubt that Wagyu is more popular now than it’s ever been before. For this reason, all sorts of companies are popping up claiming to sell Wagyu in an attempt to capitalize on the fad. To avoid being oversold by these pop-up companies, or worse — being sold fake Wagyu — you want to make sure that you’re only buying from providers with a backstory that checks out.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid providers with little to no information about the farmer’s backstory or the farm’s cattle. After all, you wouldn’t buy a piece of raw meat from a stranger on the street, would you?
An Example of an Authentic Wagyu Provider in the United States
Instead, you want to prioritize providers like Maries River Wagyu, for example. You can find all the information you need to feel safe about your Wagyu purchase on their website — like the story of Maries River Wagyu founder, Terry Neuner.
After a life-changing experience trying Kobe beef on a business trip in Japan in 1995, Terry decided to use his Master’s degree in Biochemistry and his experience growing up in cattle country to good use. When he returned home to America, he went to work creating a Missouri-based cattle breeding program. His ultimate goal? Allowing Americans to experience the life-changing steaks he’d experienced in Japan. 20 years later, Terry now runs one of the largest Wagyu herds in all of Missouri and sells his Wagyu beef online to Americans all across the country.
Knowing that there is a legitimate story behind the creation of Maries River Wagyu — and that its Wagyu cattle benefit from 20 years of science-backed development — you can feel much more confident in purchasing any of Maries River Wagyu products, which have now expanded to include:
- Hamburger
- Filet
- K.C. Strip
- Sirloin
- Ribeye
- Brisket
Takeaway
While the Japanese word “Wagyu” may literally translate to “Japanese Cow,” that doesn’t mean that you can’t buy authentic Wagyu in America. However, because of the growing popularity of Wagyu — and the influx of companies that try to capitalize on this popularity — it’s more important than ever to do your research before making a purchase.
For a reliable source of farm-raised Wagyu that’s 100% “Made in America,” there’s no better choice than Maries River Wagyu. Shipping a wide array of Wagyu products all across America (including the list above), Maries River Wagyu can help you experience delicious, authentic Wagyu beef no matter where you’re located in the United States.
