Grilling time and Kobe Beef

Labor Day is quickly approaching and the our time in front of the traditional grill, searing off our eyebrows and other facial hair is winding down. With that thought in mind I tried to think what would be an appropriate food topic. Beef! Kobe Beef! This is a interesting little guy, and apparently he has won the hearts of meat lovers world around. However many of us cannot afford to eat these tender slabs of marbleized beef on a regular basis, especially when prices for this style of meat start in the $60.00 per pound range...yes folks I did say $60.00 and that makes gasoline a better buy per pound.

The information below comes from ask the meat man. I have included his link for those of you that might have recently won the lottery or had a large inheritance.
Either way you will now be able to fill that conversation gap with something interesting at your next grill out. I mean hey, these cows are fed beer and massaged, although how the story ends up seems a little like "bait and Switch" to me...not good, definately not good for the Kobe.


Kobe Beef Questions and Answers
**Is it true that Kobe beef in Japan are fed on beer and massaged to make them tender?
Well, both things take place, but not for the reasons we've been led to believe. Beer is fed to the cattle during summer months when the interaction of fat cover, temperature and humidity depresses feed intake. Beer seems to stimulate their appetite. It's merely part of the overall management program designed to keep the cattle on feed in the heat of the summer. The massaging is done to relieve stress and muscle stiffness. It's believed that the eating quality of the meat is affected positively by keeping the cattle calm and content.

Why do they brush the cattle with sake?
Brushing cattle with sake is another practice which creates great interest. Some producers in Japan believe that haircoat and softness of skin are related to meat quality. It's believed brushing the haircoat with sake improves the appearance and softness of the animal and is therefore of economic importance.