How do Japanese pronounce Wagyu?
The correct pronunciation of Wagyu is Wah-gyuu. So, the “y” in Wagyu is pronounced exactly how you pronounce the letter “u” and this “u” sound must be extended in length, as you can hear in the audio pronunciation.
Is Wagyu and Kobe the same?
Kobe, in short, is a variety of Wagyu. So “Wagyu” refers to any cattle that is bred in Japan or the Japanese-style. Kobe beef is comprised of a very particular strain of Wagyu called Tajima-Gyu that is raised to strict standards in the prefecture of Hyogo.
Why Wagyu beef is so expensive?
Produced in Japan and prized for its rich marbling and buttery taste, high-grade wagyu can cost up to $200 per pound, and the cows themselves can sell for as much as $30,000. The fat is distributed more evenly throughout their muscle, which is why wagyu beef looks pink and tastes so tender.
How do you spell Wagyu cattle?
A: The Oxford English Dictionary has only one spelling, “wagyu,” for this borrowing from Japanese. It refers to either Kobe-style beef or the cattle the beef comes from. In Japanese, the OED says, wa- means Japan or Japanese, and gyu means cow, bull, cattle, or beef.