Wagyu Day

Wagyu Day
Observed by	United States
Observances	Wagyu
Begins	June 21, 2022
Ends	June 21
Date	June 21
Frequency	Annually

National Wagyu Day is held on June 21st of every year across the United States.^[1] It was declared in the United States by Steve Haddadin, an avid steak connoisseur. This holiday corresponds to National Steak Day, observed on March 14th.^[2]

History[edit]

Wagyu first arrived in the United States in 1975, when only a few cattle were in the country. However, the breakthrough came only in 1989 when the Japanese decided to reduce tariffs on imported beef, leading businesses to produce high-quality products. By the 1990s, several imports had taken place, with Wagyu cattle having the biggest impact on American herds. Although Japan discontinued importing beef after 2003, American chefs and businesses continued to utilize US production, recognizing the superior quality of Wagyu beef.^[3]

Gradually, Wagyu made its way across various restaurants and eating outlets in the United States.^[4] However, no National Wagyu Day was dedicated to celebrating Wagyu's delicacy. This is when Steve Haddadin, an avid steak connoisseur, dedicated his birthday, June 21st, to celebrating National Wagyu Day across the country. Haddadin took this initiative in 2022 with the aim of educating consumers about the specific cut of Wagyu, its origin, including how it is raised, and the rigorous authentication process.^[5]

Etymology[edit]

Wagyu is a Japanese word that translates to "cow" and refers to one of the four Japanese beef cattle breeds, which include Kobe beef, Matsusaka beef, Omi beef, and Wagyu beef. Wagyu is a horned breed, and the cattle are either black, red, or brown in color.^[6]

Description[edit]

Wagyu were originally draught animals used in agriculture and were selected for their physical endurance. Wagyu beef is raised between 32 and 36 months, growing in the silent breeding fields away from all the noise that may cause stress. Wagyu is very expensive and regarded as one of the best cuts of beef. It thrives in moderate or hot/humid weather and can tolerate cold weather. The breed is best known for its delicious meat, high fertility, and high value.^[7]

Observance[edit]

Observed on June 21 every year, the purpose of Wagyu Day is to increase the public’s accessibility to the Wagyu experience and their information on the authentication process.^[8] Users can authenticate the Wagyu on their plate through the Japanese carcass verification bureau website.^[9] They can also determine whether the Wagyu beef on their plate is genuine by using the 10-digit cattle ID number on the certificate. Non-Japanese users can use the Google Translate plug-in to navigate through the website. When dining, users can request the chef to provide a copy of the authentication certificate to obtain the 10-digit cattle ID.^[10]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]