This goes back to the old adage “You are what you eat” in a very literal sense. Over a period of time the animals will take on meat flavor based on what kinds and amounts of forage they were eating in the last 90-100 days before slaughter. This can vary alot from one area of the country to another and also from farm to farm within areas. It can also vary by season of the year to a smaller degree.

As a consumer this can be one of the really interesting experiences of eating grass-fed and pasture based meats. The nuances of flavor may be subtle or bold, and not everyone will necessarily agree which is best. This is another instance where it is nice to have a dialog with your farmer so you can learn about what the cows have been eating. Buying sample packages from different ranches is another possibility. When you buy from consolidators or marketing companies, you won’t know as much about the source so flavors could vary alot from order to order.

Here you can see one of our pastures with alfalfa, grasses & even a dandelion if you look close.