cattle be slaughtered at less than three years
of age. In 2004, most French and British beef
came from animals no older than 30 months.
Japanese Beef Japan prizes its shimofuri, or
highly marbled beef, of which the best known
comes from the Kobe region. Steers of the
native Wagyu draft breed are slaughtered at
24–30 months. High-quality heifers (and some
steers) are identified and then fattened for a
further year or more on grain. (Currently
Japan tests all meat cattle for BSE.) This
process produces beef that is mature,
flavorful, tender, and very rich, with as much
as 40% marbling fat. The best cuts are usually
sliced very thin, in 1.5–2 mm sheets, and
simmered in broth for a few seconds in the
one-pot dishes called sukiyaki and shabu
shabu.
Veal Veal is the meat of young male offspring
of dairy cows. Veal has traditionally been
valued for being as different as possible from