Posted on 06/21/2024 6:56:26 AM PDT by Red Badger
NATIONAL WAGYU DAY
June 21 is National Wagyu Day on the National Day Calendar® to celebrate the delicacy of Wagyu and spread awareness about the rigorous authentication process taken for Wagyu. For an entire day, we are celebrating alongside steak and beef enthusiasts, plus encouraging everyone to experience the delicious taste of the finest beef in the world.
#NATIONALWAGYUDAY
National Wagyu Day invites seasoned Wagyu connoisseurs as well as first timers to celebrate the delicacy of Wagyu. In addition, to make the distinction between Japanese, American, and Australian Wagyu known. Also, the authentication process. Authenticating Wagyu, especially authentic Japanese Wagyu, is a complex process with strict regulations and controls. In fact, not all Wagyu is Japanese, which is why authentic Japanese Wagyu is such a delicacy.
The spirit of National Wagyu Day is special. It welcomes those who are trying Wagyu for the first time and seasoned Wagyu connoisseurs, on Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, to celebrate the delicacy of Wagyu and to learn about its rigorous authentication process. That also means one thing, more time to enjoy Wagyu! ~Steve Haddadin
Wagyu, meaning Japanese cattle, refers to four specific breeds of beef cattle that originated in Japan. These unique breeds of cattle produce a type of marbled beef that have an extreme tenderness and a rich, savory flavor when cooked. In fact, the tenderness of the meat creates a melt-in-your mouth experience.
American Wagyu comes crossbreeding full blood Wagyu cattle with Angus. Japanese Wagyu cattle are bred solely as authentic because Japanese Wagyu cattle has been only bred in Japan. One way to tell the difference between American and Japanese Wagyu is Japanese Wagyu is normally boneless when imported. In addition, Japanese Wagyu will always have a Certificate of Authenticity, even if served in a restaurant. Verifying authentic Wagyu requires a cattle ID number, which is on the authentication certificate that could be obtained from a butcher or the restaurant where you are enjoying it at.
Tips to Verify Authentic Wagyu
Obtain a copy of the authentication certificate and locate the Cattle ID number.
Enter the Cattle ID number on the Japanese Carcass Verification Bureau website. The website is in Japanese, be sure to translate it to a language you are familiar with if you do not understand Japanese.
Lineage (ancestry) information that verifies the beef as a registered Wagyu breed.
Grading according to Japanese Wagyu standards that includes marbling information, meat color, fat texture and content, and quality of the beef.
Raising cattle by American standards and regulations differ from how Japanese raise cattle. First, American Wagyu comes from imported breeds of cattle raised in the U.S. directly from descendants of Japanese Wagyu. Japanese Wagyu cattle are bred solely as authentic because Japanese Wagyu cattle has been only bred in Japan. One way to tell the difference between American and Japanese Wagyu is Japanese Wagyu is normally boneless when imported. In addition, Japanese Wagyu will always have a Certificate of Authenticity, even if served in a restaurant.
5 Fun Facts about Wagyu
Wagyu cattle receive spa treatments in Japan almost daily. In fact, daily brushing, massages, and skin treatments to minimize stress and promote better marbling.
Japan hosts the National Wagyu Competition each year where breeders compete for prestigious awards in marbling, texture, and overall quality.
Wagyu fat is healthier for the human body than olive oil or even a fillet of salmon!
Wagyu cattle dates back almost 35,000 and was originally used for agriculture purposes, such as plowing fields and pulling carts. Initially, farmers would breed Wagyu based on their endurance and strength to benefit farm work.
There are four main types of Wagyu cattle: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn.
6 WAYS TO CELEBRATE WAGYU
There are many ways to celebrate National Wagyu Day and we are encouraging you to take advantage of this food holiday by participating in as many ways you can.
If you are a Wagyu expert, we recommend inviting someone who has never had Wagyu out to dinner so they can experience this delicious meat, too!
Head over to your local steakhouse that serves Japanese Wagyu and request a copy of the authentication certificate.
Pick up some authentic Wagyu from your local butcher and host a Wagyu tasting party.
Attend a Wagyu cooking class to learn the art of preparing Wagyu and a bit of history, too.
Research the history of the wagyu on your plate by the authentication certificate on the Japanese.
Visit the official National Wagyu Day website to learn more about this delicious food holiday.
NATIONAL WAGYU DAY HISTORY
Steve Haddadin is the founder of National Wagyu Day. In 2022, as an avid steak connoisseur, Steve was determined to create a day to celebrate the delicacy of Wagyu and to spread awareness about the rigorous authentication process.
In 2024, Steve Haddadin collaborated with the National Day Calendar® to officially proclaim National Wagyu Day with National Day Calendar®. This new food holiday will be celebrated each year on June 21. Interestingly, June 21 is also Steve's birthday, which gives us more reason to celebrate this new food day and member of the National Day Calendar Founder Family!
What nation? Japan?
Q: “How much per pound”?
A: “If you have to ask that Q, you can’t afford it”.
Yes
June 21st Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History
1834
The U.S. Patent Office issues Cyrus McCormick a patent for his invention of a reaper.
1893
George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. debuts his invention, the Ferris wheel, at Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition.
1997
New York Liberty beat the Los Angeles Sparks in the first game of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
2004
Test pilot Mike Melvill flew SpaceShipOne into suborbital flight becoming the first civilian to pilot an aircraft into space.
2008
The animated film WALL-E premieres. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
June 21st Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Henry Ossawa Tanner - 1859
The internationally acclaimed painter became known for his religious and faith-inspired works. His realistic paintings also depicted scenes of the everyday life of African Americans. Some of his notable works include Into the Light, The Dancing Lesson, and The Thankful Poor.
Daisy Turner - 1883
The gifted American storyteller and poet is noted for her oral recordings of family history.
Juliet Lewis - 1973
The American actress gained recognition for her roles in the early 1990s. You may recognize her in Natural Born Killers, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and August: Osage County.
Prince William of Wales - 1982
A member of the British royal family, Prince William is second in line to the throne.
Where I am, wagyu at Sam’s club costs less than angus ground round at Meijer. So we get Sam’s wagyu ground beef for our burgers. I’ve never had a wagyu steak, but the burgers are a step up from angus.
That’s funny.
Absolutely the best beef, makes the best hamburgers.
Very expensive so saved for special occasions - like yesterday, the summer solstice.
Think I’ll pick up a couple for some weekend grilling...
I agree. Wagyu makes the best burgers. We buy 3# at Sam’s and portion them out right away. Freeze what we aren’t planning to eat quickly. Hubby uses pecan wood chips on the smoker to grill them. We’ve had many guests say they are the best burgers they’ve ever eaten.
Their Wagyu filet is some of the best I've ever had. Ruins you for almost any other steak.
Japanese Wagyu Striploin Steak Sandwich on Pan-Toasted Ciabatta
Ing 10 oz Wagyu Ciabatta sliced onion/Portobellos Arugula 1 tsp Horseradish S/p rosemary sprig
Steps Pat steak dry; s/p both sides. Heat a non-stick pan on medium high. Sear steak about a minute. Add rosemary to pan. Flip steak; sear a minute for rare. Let rest for at least 5 minutes.
In the same pan, add sliced onions and mushrooms; s/p to taste. Sear soft and golden. Pro tip: toast your bread in the same pan now for added flavor.
Assembly Add horseradish to one slice of bread. (Mayonnaise may substitute). Add onions and mushrooms. Add steak sliced to desired thickness. Add arugula. Top w/ ciabatta.
I’m glad you like your Wagyu beef from Sams. Just know this is American raised beef. Not imported from Japan.
FWIW.
Yes, this is American wagyu, not kobe.
Good to know. I’ll have a look when I go to Sam’s.
Who's ahead of him then?
Forbes Mill Steakhouse Party of: 6
*Spring Rolls ($20)
*Calamari ($19)
*Crab Cakes ($21) x2
*Grazing Cheese Board ($30)
*Caesar Salad ($12) x2
*French Onion ($14) x2
*Cowboy Ribeye ($69): add Scampi ($14)
*Cowboy Ribeye ($69)
*Cowboy Ribeye ($69): add Lobster ($49),
*Sauteed Mushroom ($13)
*Fresh Asparagus ($13)
*8oz Prime Filet Mignon ($58)
*Bread Pudding ($14)
*Creme Brulee ($14)
*Rye Manhattan ($17)
*Ketel One Tonic ($13)
*Grahams 20yr ($15)
*Coffee ($4)
*Pepsi ($4)
*Corkage ($30) x2
They also add on 20% gratuity. Plus tax.
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