If you love high-quality beef, then we absolutely must introduce you to Snake River Farms. Snake River Farms is one of the premium cattle ranches in the United States of this generation, using high-end genetic processes to create unique and delicious cuts of American Wagyu beef.
Whether you know anything about this farm or not, keep reading, as we have researched this farm in depth and know everything there is to know. Just be prepared to want to order your own cut of American Wagyu Beef by the end!
What is Snake River Farms?
Snake River Farms is a cattle ranch most well-known for creating the unique type of beef known by the name American Wagyu. Falling in love with the delicious taste and marbling found in Japanese Wagyu steaks, Robert Rebholtz Sr. set out in 1968 to create an American version of the famous cattle.
Using his knowledge of genetics, Rebholtz Sr. was successfully able to cross-breed a wagyu cow with an American Angus cow and raise it following Japanese Wagyu specifications. Following the calves’ births, the cows raised on Snake River Farms are fed a special diet for 400 days prior to butchering, ensuring their meat meets similar quality standards as their full-bred Wagyu counterparts.
Although Japanese Wagyu and American Wagyu still differ slightly, Snake River Farms has gotten pretty close to the original, which is why restaurants around the United States and across Canada source their famous beef from this cattle ranch.
Related: What is American Wagyu Beef? Is It Real Wagyu?
What Type of Cows Does Snake River Farms Have?
Snake River Farms maintains a herd of American Wagyu cows which are bred from full-blood Japanese Wagyu bulls and Angus heifers. They also have a couple of other herds of pure Angus cows with both heifers and bulls of the breed.
Who Owns Snake River Farms?
Unfortunately, the original owner of Snake River Farms, Robert Rebholtz Sr., passed away in the 1990s, and his son took over the business. Today, Snake River Farms is still family-owned and managed in the trustworthy hands of Robert Rebholtz Jr. He also involves his children in the farming practice to ensure they will be able to take over the business when his time is up.
Where is Snake River Farms Located?
Snake River Farms is a large cattle ranch nestled in the rolling Idaho hills. Adjacent to the city of Boise, ID, Snake River Farms offers their cattle the chance to wild graze on grass at their leisure on the surrounding hills, ensuring the finest quality of beef come butcher season.
Why is American Wagyu so Special?
American Wagyu is a mix between Angus and Japanese Wagyu cows, and the meat is known for its high level or marbling and delicious meaty taste—something which can’t be found in all cuts of beef. Since American Wagyu is the name of the cow, American Wagyu beef comes in all cuts, from Ribeye to Filet Mignon, meaning it is sure to appeal to even the pickiest steak eaters.
It’s important to note that American Wagyu isn’t quite as succulent or marbled as the original Japanese Wagyu, but it’s pretty close. In fact, many people have begun to revere American Wagyu as its own creation and order the succulent American version over the Japanese version due to the slightly lower price for similar high-quality beef.
Is American Wagyu Real Wagyu?
Technically, the word “wagyu” is the word for “cow” in Japanese. As such, only the Japanese breed of cows is considered true Wagyu. That being said, in recent years, American Wagyu has risen to prominence in its own right. So, while you may not be able to pass off American Wagyu as Japanese Wagyu to a critic, your family and friends will likely love the meat regardless!
Wagyu Vs. Angus Beef
As we mentioned above, the American Wagyu meat produced on Snake River Farms is a combination of a Japanese Wagyu bull and an Angus heifer. Though it may seem like this would “watered-down” the flavor Japanese Wagyu is known for, it actually does the opposite by enhancing it!
While Japanese Wagyu is known around the world for its incredible mild beef flavor and marbling, Angus beef is generally known as more flavorful but a much less marbled meat. That means when you mix the two, you get the best of both worlds, also known as American Wagyu.
Related: American Wagyu vs. Japanese Wagyu—What’s the Difference?
Alternatives to Snake River Farms
Although Snake River Farms was the first cattle ranch of its type, there are many competing ranches these days that also produce high-quality American Wagyu beef. Though, in our opinion, Snake River Farms is the best. If they don’t have quite what you are looking for, consider visiting Kolikof Caviar and Gourmet to explore other premium Wagyu beef options available.
The Best Cuts of American Wagyu Beef
- New York Strip
- Filet Mignon
- Ribeye
- Prime Rib
- Tomahawk
As you can see, almost any cut you get of American Wagyu beef you order will be delicious, these are just our favorites! Those new to eating Wagyu should definitely start with a boneless steak, however, as these are slightly easier to cook to perfection.
Where to Buy Snake River Farms Beef
Snake River Farm beef is known around the globe for its high quality and delicious-tasting meat. In recent years, Snake River Farms has formed a bond with Kolikof’s Caviar and Gourmet, which is also known for providing high-quality specialty food products, and as such, it should come as no surprise that they carry the premium American Wagyu beef.
Whether you want to order a Snake Farms New York Strip Steak or perhaps some caviar to serve on the side, Kolikof’s has you covered. Plus, everything ships in just 48 hours, ensuring that you won’t have to wait long for the highest quality meal of your life!
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