Why Dexter Cattle

THE WORLD'S BEST BEEF?

Unique "spider marbling" of Dexter cattle

​When it comes to beef, Angus beef is the most recognizable and popular breed of beef cattle in the United States. Is it the best? Some suggest that Wagyu is the world's best. Still others, including world renown chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oilver, indicate they've found something better...and just like diamonds... it comes in small packages.  Introducing Dexter cattle.

Today we will attempt to summarize the beef qualities of Dexter cattle. We could write many words describing the other fine attributes that make Dexter cattle a super breed, but we will save that for another day. Briefly, aside from great beef, Dexter cattle are hardy, more efficient at converting a variety of grass/forage to beef, produce more pounds per acre than most any other breed, are great mothers and have a calm disposition. Now, on to the meat itself…

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To begin to appreciate the qualities of Dexter cattle beef, we must explore the multifaceted role of fat in shaping its tenderness and taste. Contrary to common perception, many people think of fat in a very simple way, believing that its only role is to make meat juicy. However, fat has a more complex role; while it does add juiciness to meat, it can also have the effect of hiding or masking the genuine, natural flavors of the beef. In other words, while fat does make meat moist and succulent, it can sometimes overpower or overshadow the inherent taste of the beef itself. So, the impact of fat can be both a boon and a pitfall, contingent on various factors.
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​​Tenderness, that essential characteristic that determines the ease with which each bite yields, is intricately linked to the collagen structure and the size of muscle fibers. Dexter cattle feature smaller muscle fibers that naturally pack a denser punch. The outcome is a consistent texture that makes it easy to chew. Nevertheless, the fat of some other breeds of cattle can sometimes contain a substantial amount of collagen, which can potentially hinder the dining experience. In contrast, the marbling in beef from Dexter cattle is celebrated for its distinctive "spider web" pattern, which is widely regarded as a mark of premium quality, characterized by its low collagen content.

Juiciness, a hallmark of exceptional beef, can manifest in two primary forms—water-based and fat-based. Dexter cattle boast an abundance of red blood cells, a legacy of their milk-producing lineage. This abundance translates into a naturally darker muscle color and a lower pH. The presence of ample red blood cells means more oxygen, even after the animal's demise. The postmortem respiration of the animal meat activates the production of lactic acid, which contributes to the preservation of the meat's natural fat flavor. It also facilitates the binding of water within the meat and leads to the breaking down of muscle proteins, ultimately enhancing tenderness.

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​Let’s get a little deeper. Animals store a combination of compounds in their fat, including flavonoids, pheromones and hormones, which can impart undesirable flavors. Dexter cattle, interestingly, tend to stockpile fewer of these unpalatable elements in their fat. As a result, they display a pristine white fat cap, even when raised on a grass-only diet. This crucial distinction means that the fat from Dexter cattle has a minimal impact on the overall flavor profile of the beef.

In essence, Dexter cattle offer a premium dining experience due to their unique blend of physical and biological attributes. Their beef is characterized by its juiciness, rather than greasiness, thanks to the pH levels that facilitate moisture retention during the cooking process. The flavor is rich and pure, unmarred by excessive fat or off-putting flavors that can be associated with fat. The meat's even texture, a result of smaller, denser muscle fibers, coupled with the pH levels that enhance tenderness contribute to its deliciousness. These factors consistently merge to produce an exceptional culinary journey.

It's worth noting that not all breeds possess the same winning combination of attributes, and even if they do, these elements may not always harmonize in such perfect synchrony. Thus, Dexter beef stands out as a breed that consistently delivers a premium dining experience, characterized by these distinctive qualities.

In conclusion, Dexter cattle beef offers a truly exceptional dining experience, with its unique blend of tenderness, juiciness, and pure flavor. These qualities, rooted in the breed's physical and biological attributes, consistently elevate Dexter beef to a premium level, making it a noteworthy choice for discerning culinary enthusiasts. Dexter beef has outstanding quality and tastes the way beef used to taste.

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