How to Buy Angus Beef

Angus is a breed of cattle that originated in Scotland. This breed has an official designation in the United States and cattle must meet certain criteria in order to be marketed as Angus beef. The cattle must have the required genotype as established by positive identification that can be traced back to provable Angus parentage and the animal's color must be mostly solid black. Here's how to buy Angus beef.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for beef designated "Certified Angus Beef." This is a special designation in the beef industry and establishes standards for age, color, marbling and tenderness. Angus cattle have more of the myostatin protein that makes their beef fattier and more marbled.

2. Differentiate USDA grades of Angus Beef. There are three primary grades to look for: prime, choice and select. Each grade is associated with a corresponding label on the processed meat. For example, Angus beef classified by the USDA as "prime" should have a label that reads "Certified Angus Prime."

3. Eat prime Angus mostly in restaurants. This is beef from younger, well-fed cattle with abundant marbling.

4. Find choice Angus in most supermarkets. This beef is still high-quality, but with less marbling than prime.

5. Buy select Angus as the most common choice of beef. The quality is uniform, but normally leaner than the higher grades and may lack some of the flavor.

6. Differentiate similar labels. Labels such as "Angus" or "Black Angus" do not have any official designation in the United States.

Resources

• Learn more about buying Angus beef at Angus Beef Source.

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