Everybody knows about Wagyu beef. In fact, its beautiful marbling, melt-in-your-mouth textures and taste bud-tingling flavours have seen this prime Japanese meat dominate fine-dining establishments the world over. Keen to build on this already-hefty reputation, one boutique Australian beef producer, Mayura Station, has spent the last three decades breeding Wagyu cattle that boast an even more distinct flavour profile – Mayura Wagyu beef.
It’s an experiment that’s seemingly made quite a splash in culinary circles. Recently, it snapped up top honours at Australia’s prestigious 2018 delicious. Produce Awards, a competition where candidates must be nominated by food industry experts to just participate. So what sets Mayura Wagyu beef apart from the many other contenders?
Firstly, there’s its location – its cattle roam rolling hills and drink pristine waters purified by the calcium caverns of the Limestone Coast. Also, insofar as Mother Nature allows, hormones and antibiotics are used sparingly to ensure no flavour contamination. But for Scott de Bruin, Mayura Station’s managing director, the single most important factor boils down to how the cows are fed.
“We pride ourselves on producing a singe source product,” he proudly expounds, “Not only do we rear the cattle, but we also grow the grain and fodder.” The feed blend – whose contents is a closely-guarded secret – includes, of all things, chocolate, which de Bruin claims gives Mayura Wagyu beef its signature sweet, rich flavour.
Keen to give Mayura Wagyu a try? Sadly, these meaty morsels aren’t available in any retail location in Hong Kong. There’s a silver lining though – several of the city’s premier eateries do feature this premium beef on their menus, including Otto e Mezzo, Arcane, Belon, Tate and Gaia.