虎说百科丨和牛这么贵，原来是用啤酒喂出来的
今天咱们吃点好的，给大家上一份和牛（wagyu beef）。
吃没吃过都另说，但这个和牛很贵、和牛很美，想必很多人都知道。和牛肉上面的油花均匀细密，被人们描述成是像大理石一般的纹路。逛进口超市的时候，我就算不买，只隔着窗户看，都很开心，它确实是件牛界艺术品。而且吃起来那也是油而不腻、入口即化。
好了，口水先往肚子里咽。借助我超爱的这本由英国 DK 出版的 The Science of Cooking （《烹饪的科学》），咱今天就来聊一聊和牛。
需要本期讲义以及原文的朋友，
可以扫码添加小虎虎，入群免费领取👇
Why is it so expensive to buy WAGYU BEEF?
Fat-rippled beef from Wagyu cattle is some of the most sought-after in the world—with good reason.
和牛为什么这么贵？
满布油花的和牛肉是全球饕客梦寐以求的珍馐之一，它有充足的理由受到追捧。
ripple /ˈrɪpl/ n./v. 涟漪，波纹；（使）呈波状，遍布，传开
○ You throw a pebble in a pool and it ripples. 往池塘里扔块鹅卵石就会激起一片涟漪。
○ raspberry ripple ice cream 山莓彩条冰淇凌
sought after /ˈsɔːt ɑːftə(r)/ adj.（因稀有或质优而）受欢迎的，吃香的
○ a much sought-after actress 一位备受追捧的女演员
肉质软糯的秘密
Wagyu means "Japanese beef" (Wa means "Japan" and Gyu "cow") and refers to a small group of breeds that have highly marbled beef—up to 40 percent in some cuts—which makes their meat wonderfully flavorful and very rich. Enzymes called calpains, which break down and tenderize meat, are particularly active in Wagyu breeds.
「和牛」意思是「日本的牛」（Wa = 和，Gyu = 牛），泛指油花量特别多，甚至可高达 40%的若干牛品种。拜油花之赐，和牛风味馥郁，格外美味可口。和牛中的钙蛋白酶（calpain）活性也特别强，这是一种可软化肉质的酶类。
breed /briːd/ n. 品种
○ rare breeds of cattle 稀有品种的牛
marble /ˈmɑːbl/ n./v. 大理石；使...呈现大理石花纹，使...显得斑驳
○ The low stone walls were marbled with moss and lichen. 矮石墙复着斑驳的青苔。
enzyme /ˈenzaɪm/ n. 酶
○ An enzyme in the saliva of the mouth starts the process of breaking down the food. 由于唾液中酶的作用，食物进入口腔时就开始了分解过程。
不计成本的饲养过程
In Japan, these cattle have a no-expense-spared existence to ensure the meat meets the highest standards of excellence. Some farmers massage their cows to keep the muscles tender, and feed them cold beer to increase fat levels. Such labor- and time-intensive work, along with the superior taste and texture of the meat, enables the highest-grade Wagyu beef to command up to $275 per pound.
日本的和牛养殖场为了让肉品符合最顶级的资格，往往不惜下重本。据说有些牧场会帮牛只按摩来维持它们肌肉的柔软度，还喂食冰啤酒来增加脂肪含量。饲养过程既劳心又费力，肉品的滋味和质地也确实更优异，因此最顶级的和牛肉价格不菲，每磅售价可高达 275 美元。
spare no expense /speə ˌnəʊ ɪkˈspens/ v. 不计成本
○ The organizers were told to spare no expense to make it the biggest show on Earth. 组织者被告知要不惜一切代价办成这场地球上最盛大的表演。
command /kəˈmɑːnd/ v. 值得，赢得
○ He commanded considerable personal loyalty. 他赢得了相当多人的忠诚。
massage /ˈmæsɑːʒ/ v. 按摩
和牛分级制度
Wagyu grading system
Wagyu is classified by its marbling, color, and texture. A-grade Wagyu is the highest quality available, and is graded from 1 to 5, with A5 being the cream of the crop. A5 Wagyu is ruby red and densely textured with glistening ribbons of fat and a smooth, velvety texture.
和牛按大理石纹油花、颜色和肉质来划分等级。A 级为最高级别，而每级又再分为 1 至 5 个等级，A5 即为最高级。A5级和牛的颜色红艳有如红宝石，满布漂亮油花，入口后有天鹅绒般柔滑的口感。
the cream of the crop 顶尖的人或事物
○ The medical school's graduates are considered to be the cream of the crop. 医学院毕业生被视为顶级人才。
glisten /ˈɡlɪsn/ v.（潮湿或油腻的东西）闪闪发亮
○ tubs of glistening olives 一盆盆油光发亮的橄榄
velvety /ˈvelvəti/ adj. 天鹅绒般柔滑的
○ a velvety chocolate mousse 一道柔软绵密的巧克力慕斯
微信扫码关注该文公众号作者