How is Alderspring different from conventional supermarket beef?
You will find that grassfed organic beef from Alderspring Ranch is different in two ways. First is the flavor. You can read through our customer comments and food writer’s reviews where comments about the depth and complexity of the flavor of our beef. We attribute that to the diversity of our native grasses and the high mineralization of our pristine mountain soils.
The other thing that people have noted to us is that there is a difference in mouth feel between our beef and regular grain fed beef. One of the most consistent adjectives is “clean.” This clean palate sense is due to the difference in fatty acid profiles in our grass fed and finished beef compared to grain finished beef
Is Alderspring beef fattier than other beef?
We work hard to produce a marbled grass fed beef, unlike many producers that create a very lean grass fed product. Why does marbling matter?
In beef, the term “marbling” refers to the pattern and amount of fat that runs through the steak. It appears as yellow (yellow fat because our beef is 100% grassfed) flecks or streaks running through the beef. Marbling gives flavor and tenderness to the steak, so it’s a key consideration for quality. We have seen that many grassfed beef producers harvest their cattle before they are truly ready. We shoot for a restaurant-quality choice steak.
Does grass-fed beef taste different than grain-fed beef?
Yes, and it should! If it tastes like grain-fed beef, it probably is produced similarly to grain-fed beef. But grass fed beef should never taste gamey or musty or livery. Our 23 years of experience has taught us why grass fed beef sometimes does not taste good, and to develop growing protocols that result in a consistently superior beef. Alderspring beef has a depth and complexity of flavor that is unmatched.