What Is Wagyu?
Wagyu is renowned for its marbling in the form of intramuscular fat (IMF) which appears as fine flecks within the muscle. The presence of marbling has a very positive effect on the eating quality of beef in terms of tenderness, juiciness and flavour, giving Wagyu an exceptional eating experience.
The marbling score is a component of the AUS-MEAT beef quality grading system, and refers to visible fat found between muscle fibre bundles and is assessed within the rib eye muscle. Marbling score is assessed visually by an AUS-MEAT qualified grader during the process of carcass grading using the scoring range 0 to 9 as shown below. The distribution and texture of the fat flecks, referred to as fineness are also assessed.