Features of Shinshu Beef

Shinshu Beef is a premium brand of beef raised across the naturally abundant regions of Nagano Prefecture. Known as “beef raised on apples,” Shinshu Beef lives up to its reputation by incorporating apples into the cattle’s feed.

Key Characteristics

1. Apple-Enhanced Feed:

Nagano Prefecture, second only to Aomori in apple production, uses its locally grown, nutrient-rich apples to create flavorful and high-quality beef. Apples provide essential sugars, vitamins, and minerals, which enhance the meat’s unique taste and quality.

2. Distinctive Flavor and Aroma:

The nutrients in apples contribute to the beef’s refined texture and distinctive sweet aroma, offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

3. Shinshu Premium Beef:

Shinshu Wagyu undergoes strict testing for oleic acid content. Only beef that meets the certification standards is marketed as “Shinshu Premium Beef,” ensuring exceptional quality and flavor.

Shinshu Wagyu

Shinshu Wagyu is raised with meticulous care and management by dedicated producers in Nagano Prefecture. This premium beef traces its roots back to 1955, when Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu) cattle were first introduced to the region. Drawing from the distinguished lineage of Tajima cattle, Shinshu Wagyu has been refined and expanded across the prefecture through ongoing improvements in breeding techniques.

Key Characteristics

1. Locally Tailored Feed:

Nagano’s diverse regions utilize “regional feed blends” suited to local production areas. This approach enhances the beef’s flavor and creates tender, high-quality meat with a mild taste.

2. Oleic Acid: The Key to Flavor:

Oleic acid, recognized as a new standard for the deliciousness of domestic wagyu, defines the rich flavor of Shinshu Wagyu.

3. Factors Influencing Flavor:

• Fine Muscle Fibers: Tenderness is primarily influenced by the cattle’s bloodline.

• Fat Quality: The quality of fat is heavily influenced by the feed.

• Rearing Period: The time spent raising the cattle significantly enhances the texture and richness of the meat.

4. Expertly Crafted Feed:

The primary ingredients of Shinshu Wagyu feed include barley, corn, wheat bran, and soybeans. These are expertly blended to provide a balanced diet, with each cow consuming approximately 4,500–5,000 kg of feed. This results in a glossy, rich marbling and smooth fat.