There are flavour wheels for wine, coffee, and even chocolate has product descriptors that will make your linguistic mind spin.
A while back, I was doing some research into culinary experiences with beef and I ran into the neatest little tool…..
A Flavour Wheel for Beef!!
….There is a link at the bottom to the coolest online beef tasting tool with recipes!!
But for Beef? Why NOT! Researchers have detected over 800 flavour profiles in beef - in fact it is one of the most complex things we consume.
Now, without sounding like a beef snob LOL, the fact is, FLAVOUR is what we are all about at MurrayHill!
Want to have some fun and try a Beef Tasting Experience? Here’s How:
Start with a good steak.
That doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg on Tenderloins or Ribeyes for the whole family.
A perfectly delicious Top-Sirloin Steak is a great choice and affordable for a fun, taste-testing get together.
If you’re going to the effort of hosting a flavour tasting event, I encourage you to source out some great quality meat from your local farmer like MurrayHill’s Limousin Beef.
Your farmer will be able to tell you about the beef like what breed it is, how it’s raised and how it gets from field-to-fork.
2. Cook it simply.
Season your room temperature beef with a little salt and pepper and grill or use cast iron until medium - rare or medium at most. Let it rest, tented with foil for 5 minutes before serving.
There are 2 basic categories when doing a taste-test on beef :
Texture and mouthfeel
Aroma and flavour
Be a snob! Smell it first, Poke at it.
Pay attention when cutting a piece. Then smell it again and put words to the aromas when you first take a bite.
While consulting your scrabble dictionary make note of the texture and mouthfeel of your bite of beef.
How about the Flavour?
Is it meaty, herbaceous, or sweet like caramel? How about buttery with lingering flavours of honey or drippings?
I have found an interactive flavour wheel that will also take your results and suggest pairings for your meal.
(I don’t get any kick-backs -I just think its COOL)
Check out this FREE Online Flavour Wheel that teaches pairing and comes with RECIPES!
CLICK HERE but before you go….
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers!
This is simply an exercise in awareness and culinary enjoyment.
Have fun with it and remember, everyone has different taste and smell receptors. Let’s broaden our red meat experience and savour the flavours of the beef we are eating.