Exploring Flavour Profiles: Grain-Fed vs. Grass-Fed Beef
Here at Prime Gourmet, we get lots of questions from customers about whether they should choose grain-fed or grass-fed beef, and what the difference is between the two. After all, our butcher shop, deli store and online butcher’s shop offer a huge array of different beef products. Next time you’re looking for a superb choice of grass-fed or grain-fed beef online in the UAE, just visit the beef section of our Prime Gourmet website.
We offer so many different options that choosing the right meat for your recipes can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. So, to help you navigate the wonderful world of beef and home cooking, we’ve decided to take a deep dive into the great ‘grass-fed vs grain- fed’ debate and explain how they differ in taste, quality, and texture.
What is grass-fed beef?
Grass-fed beef is from cattle that have been fed on a diet of 100 percent grass, 365 days a year. At Prime Gourmet, we offer a wide array of delicious grass-fed beef products from Silver Fern Farms, one of New Zealand’s most ethical and sustainable beef producers.
All sourced from premium cattle that have been raised on picturesque green pastures, our halal grass-fed beef range spans fillet mignon, hearty burgers, juicy striploin and ribeye steaks, minced beef, tasty beef cubes, and much more.
What is grain-fed beef?
To technically classify as ‘grain-fed’, cattle must be fed on a grain-based diet for 60 days or more. Cattle grain feeds often include wheat, barley and sorghum, a nutrient-rich cereal grain that’s high in protein, fiber and vitamins.
Some farms choose to combine the two production methods by first raising their cattle on a grass-based diet, and then raising them off on a diet of grain.
At Prime Gourmet, we offer a wide selection of premium grain-fed beef products from Stockyard Beef, an Australian family-owned business that is commited to excellence, traceability, and sustainability with their Wagyu and Angus cattle.
Grass-fed vs grain-fed taste: what is the difference?
For many, this is the most pressing question about grain-fed and grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is considered to have a more complex flavour that reflects the natural diets of the cattle. It is also known for containing large amounts of minerals which is very appealing to many health-conscious consumers.
Due to its high levels of marbling, grain-fed beef is generally known for its buttery and slightly sweeter taste. The grain-fed beef texture melts in the mouth when cooked perfectly.
How do they differ in appearance?
The fat in grass-fed beef tends to have a slightly yellowish hue, and this is due to the beta-carotene that is found in the grass the cattle eat. A type of pigment, beta-carotene is also a great source of Vitamin C. This makes grass-fed beef exceptionally flavoursome, and it also means that it contains higher levels of vitamin A than other types of beef.
Fat colour also plays a key part in how grass-fed beef is graded. While high levels of B-carotene can cause a more intensive yellow colouring, breed and nutrition can also play a part in shaping fat colour.
On the other hand, beef taken from grain-fed cattle has brighter and whiter fat strips and noticeably more marbling, which contributes to its tenderness and juiciness when cooked. This is caused by the high sugar and fat content of the grain-rich diet that tend to be used in cattle farming. By just looking at a cut, an expert butcher or chef can tell whether it has been grain-fed or grass-fed.
What type of beef is healthier?
Both types of beef are packed with vitamins and minerals. The higher fat content from the marbling in grain-fed beef contributes to a rich taste and can be preferred for certain cooking methods. Although no studies conclude that grass-fed beef is definitively ‘healthier’ than grain-fed, it is considered to be a more ‘pure’ and ‘natural’ form of red meat that is high quality, tender, and tasty.
A grass diet also results in natural marbling, and a fine texture. Grass-fed beef is naturally leaner than grain-fed, and this means that it cooks faster. Some studies declare that grass-fed beef contains less fat and calories, and more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than regular grain-fed beef.
As you can see, there are a few noticeable differences between grain-fed and grass-fed beef. Which one you prefer is entirely down to personal taste.
So, if you are looking for all-natural, hormone-free, low-fat, and delicious beef products, check out the range of premium quality beef on our website.