Certifed Angus Beef (CAB) Great meat or Great Marketing?

[chad]

Since Tim and I have been looking to get CAB brisket I've done a little reasearch.

Here's an article I tend to agree with.

Not dissing CAB but I'm betting I can buy as good or better Choice beef without the hype.

http://www.cbbqa.com/meat/beef/CertifiedAngusBeef.html

 

[jminion]

David the CB program was never setup to say that their beef was Prime (by definition brisket is not prime beef). They did set up a program that does give you an idea of what you are recieving and there are no other programs out there short of breeders like the American Kobe beef program. CAB isn't much difference in price than other meat graded choice in my area. There are a number of retailers using the CAB program to make you believe the are selling something that is smilar but it isn't CAB or does it have the same fat content.
I'm not saying you can not find good choice product.

 

[chad]

I used to manage a CAB program cafeteria. It's good but we dealt only with the CAB prime rib and steaks - all our other meat was USDA Choice from IBP.

I understand the difference and I understand that by limiting the CAB meat to 8% of the market they place themselves in a market position of "exclusivity" that's really only a creation of their program. I'm not saying it's not good meat - just that it isn't graded out any different from USDA Choice - 51% black hide can be from an interesting cross breed that may or may not have Angus in the blood line. (Five years of FFA taught me a LOT about beef - I raised beef for my projects - and yes I raised Angus - along with Hereford and Brahma crosses.)

In case anyone is interested the Hereford association has a similar program but for some reason they haven't gone nationwide. I believe it's a restaurant only program so you wouldn't see it in the grocery store. I think it DOES specify the blood line of the animal.

I'm not convinced there is a difference for other than the premium cuts since the grading is NO different. You'll note in the article that CAB is often younger and hence leaner than true Choice.

Any meat that is handled and more closely graded will be better and that's what IS good about the CAB program - if the CAB quality/qualified meat is being selected out for distribution based upon marbeling, age, and tenderness then it should be that cut above regular Choice.

Now, if I could just find CAB brisket I'd be willing to try it. And no, I don't have deep enough pockets to ship in 30-45# of meat. USDA Choice will just have to do - for now.

Availability of brisket is probably dependent on where you are in relation to a CAB certified processing plant, too. They aren't going to ship low grade cuts very far and hope they can make up the price difference. You probably have one of their processing plants in your region there in the NW. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[tommykendall]

Now, if I could just find CAB brisket I'd be willing to try it. And no, I don't have deep enough pockets to ship in 30-45# of meat. USDA Choice will just have to do - for now.

Well - case settled then. Do you think there any reliable stats on the percentage of winning brisket turn-ins by grade of beef? Doubt it.

 

[The_Kapn]

David the CB program was never setup to say that their beef was Prime (by definition brisket is not prime beef). They did set up a program that does give you an idea of what you are recieving and there are no other programs out there short of breeders like the American Kobe beef program. CAB isn't much difference in price than other meat graded choice in my area. There are a number of retailers using the CAB program to make you believe the are selling something that is smilar but it isn't CAB or does it have the same fat content.
I'm not saying you can not find good choice product.

DF and I have a "spirited" discussion about this subject, to say the least

We competed at Sebring with some Brisket that DF brought--really great product! But, need to see that level of meat all the time, not just "what is available at the time".

I guess the real issue is that the top BBQ chef's seem to prefer CAB.
So, is there a real difference and will it give us a better or more consistant product for competetion?

But, here in our SE area, it is almost impossible to find.
A geographic thing--for sure!
I have found CAB in the TX area, but logistics is a real problem.
So, until we solve the transportation problem, CAB is just too pricey to pursue--for us anyway.

Would like to know if it is really worth all the effort and expense that we have to invest to even try it out.

Jim and DrBBQ--thanks for your advice on aging--good stuff!

TIM

 

[racer_81]

51% black hide? That's just for Black Angus.

I seem to recall from my farming youth days that there is also a Red Angus breed.

Is CAB only a Black Angus type thing?

Maybe I should ask the butcher at the local Randall's. It's been a while since I've seen the
old deer-in-the-headlights look.

 

[chad]

Yes, CAB is Black Angus only!

 

[jminion]

David if you buy CABs you know your getting choice or better, you have a good idea what your working with and how to work it. That is worth a lot going into a competition.

 

[chad]

Jim, I agree with you - but having raised and butchered the stuff I KNOW that the CAB program is bit of market hype, too. Unfortunately the Angus breeders weren't able to control the standards for calling the beef Certified Angus as well as the Hereford association. I also, never buy anything lower than USDA Choice - Any store brand "select" is suspect and usually too lean for what I want to do with it.

Here's some Hereford info -- and unlike CAB I can find certified Hereford beef -- just not sure about brisket, yet!

http://www.herefordbeef.org/tailored.aspx

And a little history: http://www.herefordbeef.org/AHA/tabID__3502/tailored.aspx

I agree that selected beef is a good thing. Availability is the key - if I can find CAB or CHB brisket I weill certainly give it a try.

 

[Bill-Chicago]

If its Certified, it must be better.

And I don't fall for marketing campaigns.

I only know three things. Super Premium gas is best for my car, even though the handbook says regular is okay, Evian makes the best bottled water, and that I'm in good hands with Allstate.

 

[racer_81]

If its Certified, it must be better.

And I don't fall for marketing campaigns.

I only know three things. Super Premium gas is best for my car, even though the handbook says regular is okay, Evian makes the best bottled water, and that I'm in good hands with Allstate.

Don't forget - Molson, the beer to drink when you're chasing beaver.

 

[chadwell.bandera]

Don't forget - Molson, the beer to drink when you're chasing beaver.

You gotta admit, that just marketing genius!

 

[cayenne]

Ok...I was wondering about this. As far as I knew..only 3 grades of beef existed (USDA): Select, Choice and Prime.

We just got this Certified Angus stuff down here in one of the stores here in NOLA. I asked the butcher what grade it was....one didn't know...one tried saying it was 'Prime'....I looked at a piece, and said that with the lack of marbling there was no way it was prime.

I only really worry about it for steaks...I've found a couple grocery stores around here that sell true prime graded meats...and when I feel like good steak, I splurge. I'm trying to get some friends of mine to go in on a whole NY Strip or Ribeye roast to cut and divide up into steaks.

So, from the comments here and the link, is it safe to say that this CAB rating is nothing more than a marketing ploy? That this CAB stuff doesn't have a normal Select, Choice or Prime rating? That it is usually in the mid to lower Choice if it was rated?

cayenne

 

[chad]

CAB - according to it's own standards is Choice. Within this Choice standard they have carcass/animal age parameters and marbling standards.

So, CAB is USDA Choice. The CAB designation is done by the CAB inspector NOT USDA They prefer a younger animal and so it will tend to be on the lean side - still within Choice standards. CAB is graded and selected from one of it's own designated processors - this is why some of us can't find it easily and down here in the FL I can't find CAB brisket at all -- steaks, roasts, etc. but no brisket.

 

[drbbq]

CAB is available through Royalty Foods out of Orlando. They're a big wholesaler but they will sell to you at the cash window if you order a day ahead.
For whole briskets they have cases of seven, and split cases of three. The whole cases will sometimes have a scrawny one in there. I usually ask for a heavy split case and am pleased. The prices in nickels/dimes higher than regular choice.

BTW, CAB claims their grading results in the top 20% of the choice and I believe them. I like the stuff for good consistency and I know many good cooks who agree.

As for the hype, everybody and there brother now has angus somethimng or other to try to piggyback the CAB program. Most of it is bullshit.

There mey be other distributors in Florida too. Check the Certified Angus Beef website and search for a distributor near you. Thay don't all sell to the public so you'll have to ask.

 

[The_Kapn]

Thanks DRBBQ

Now we know where to look :lol:
Been a frustrating experience up to now :twisted:

TIM

 

[chad]

Thank Ray. I sure couldn't find anyone over here in the Tampa Bay area.

 

[BigAl]

Ok...I was wondering about this. As far as I knew..only 3 grades of beef existed (USDA): Select, Choice and Prime.
......
cayenne

:shock: There is a 4th meat grade and it must be the best one because it it the only one the 'matic buys. And God knows she is always right>

It is called "CLEARANCE" and in some stores it is labled as "ON SALE" or "MARKED DOWN". And it is always preaged at the stores cost.

 

[chad]

Ok...I was wondering about this. As far as I knew..only 3 grades of beef existed (USDA): Select, Choice and Prime.
......
cayenne

:shock: There is a 4th meat grade and it must be the best one because it it the only one the 'matic buys. And God knows she is always right>

It is called "CLEARANCE" and in some stores it is labled as "ON SALE" or "MARKED DOWN". And it is always preaged at the stores cost.

Yep, right near "Buy On Get One Free" and "2-for-1" :mrgreen: