Re:Has anyone dry bag aged a whole shortloin?

[Phil Harvey Jr]

Our local Sam’s has T-bones and Porterhouse with the bone. They usually package them 2 to a package, one of each, so you get one with a big filet and another not so big.

I have done a number of taste tests on Hereford vs Angus and find that Herefords have a high, mellow taste reminiscent of the way beef tasted back in the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, before the exotics took over, and before almost everything turned black, to get on the Angus bandwagon. I find straight Angus (CAB) to have a somewhat acrid flavor and inconsistent tenderness. Hereford (CHB) almost always has a really pleasing flavor, and is consistently tender. The juiciness of the two is about equal. One difference is that CHB has to be at least 1/2 Hereford, and the other half must be British (Angus, Shorthorn, or Devon), whereas Angus has to be 100% black-hided. There are so many exotic breeds that have turned black to ride the CAB wave, that much of what is supposed to be straight Angus is not. There is a fair amount of both CHB and CAB that is made up of black baldies (Hereford x Angus cross) and that may be the best of all worlds. The Angus cattle tend to marble and grade USDA Choice easier than Hereford, but are somewhat less efficient in the feedlot. Hereford cattle tend to be more efficient on feed conversion, but generally don’t marble as well as Angus. Angus originated in a grain growing region at Aberdeen, Scotland, and thus were cattle that were fed lots of grain to achieve the best palatability. Herefords originated at Herefordshire, England, an area with much less farming and more grazing of untillable land, so Herefords tend to be much more efficient gainers and are extremely well suited for the grass fed industry. They really do well in the feedlot, as well, but trying to feed them too long only puts on more back fat and causes them to be of worse yield grades. Hereford yearling steers can be fed about 120 days and achieve close to the best quality grade they can achieve, whereas the same weight and age of Angus cattle will take 160-180 days to get where they are best. Tests done in the late ’80’s-early 1990’s at Colorado State showed that USDA Select Hereford steers ate as well or better than mine run (various breeds) of USDA Prime steers!

I have to mention, that I do raise Hereford cattle, and have been involved with that breed all my life. Our family has also used Angus bulls on Hereford cows, and I have eaten home-raised steers of both breeds. The CHB program is much smaller and younger than the CAB program. CAB started in 1973, CHB in 1994, so Angus had a 20 year head start. The Hereford program is making great inroads and you can find CHB in lots of supermarkets across the country, but not the national big box stores like Sam’s, Costco, or Albertson’s. They are in stores such as The Fresh Market, Coburn’s, and other independent grocers serviced by the CHB distributors.

Glad to hear about your fridge full! I have a nice whole CHB Rib aging now. It definitely works!