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Less than 8% of beef meets the highest standards to become the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.

10 Quality Specifications

Marbling and maturity

  1. Modest or higher marbling – for the taste that ensures customer satisfaction
  2. Medium or fine marbling texture – the white "flecks of flavor" in the beef that ensure consistent flavor and juiciness in every bite
  3. Only the youngest classification of product qualifies as "A" maturity – for superior color, texture and tenderness

The next three specifications ensure a uniform, consistent steak size:

  1. 10- to 16-square-inch ribeye area
  2. Less than 1,000-pound hot carcass weight
  3. Less than 1-inch fat thickness

And finally, four specifications further ensure the quality appearance and tenderness of the brand:

  1. Superior muscling (restricts influence of dairy cattle)
  2. Practically free of capillary ruptures (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
  3. No dark cutters (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
  4. No neck hump exceeding 2 inches (safeguards against cattle with more variability in tenderness)

About the brand

Other Angus beef can't compare. Angus-influenced cattle are evaluated by the USDA* to ensure completely unbiased approval.

What are the Certified Angus Beef ® brand specifications?

The process begins with only the highest quality, Angus-influenced cattle with predominantly (51%) solid black hair coat or AngusSource® genetic verification. Ten science-based quality specifications address beef flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

Premium, finer marbling: The majority of USDA Choice beef misses our mark for exceptional juiciness and flavor. We require Modest or higher marbling and medium to fine texture. Think of marbling as an insurance policy for satisfaction. The more finely textured white flecks you see in the beef, the more flavorful and juicy it will be.

Superior beef muscling and uniformity: When four people at the same table order steak, the steaks should be similar and even in size. Superior muscling provides more uniform plate presentations. Additional specifications ensure consistent sizing.

*Comparable brand standards are evaluated by the Canadian Beef Grading Agency.