The Beef Buying Blueprint: Grass-Fed, Prime & Wagyu Explained

Confused by grass-fed, Prime, or Wagyu labels at the meat counter? In this episode, Evan sits down with Desi Cicale of the Triple Crown Steak Challenge to break down exactly what these terms mean, how to tell them apart, and how to buy beef with confidence.

Desi has spent the last seven years researching beef quality, carcass merit, and running scientific taste panels at UC Davis. She brings real data and real experience to help you understand what you’re actually paying for.

In this Episode:

• What “grass-fed” really means—and why true grass-fed beef has yellow fat

• How to visually identify USDA Prime

• The difference between F1 Cross, Purebred, and Full-Blood Wagyu

• Why Wagyu often outperforms Prime in marbling, flavor, and tenderness

• How some beef labels can mislead consumers

• Tips for choosing steaks at the butcher counter

• Why supporting U.S. ranchers matters more than ever

Whether you're shopping for holiday steaks, learning how to spot real Wagyu, or just want a better understanding of the beef world, this episode gives you a practical blueprint for making smarter choices.

Learn more about Desi Cicale's Beef Studies: https://www.triplecrownsteakchallenge.com