Why The Price Of Wagyu May Surprise You, According To A Rancher
Before we dive into affordability, let's clear up a common misconception: Wagyu and Kobe are not the same. "All Kobe beef is Wagyu, but not all Wagyu is Kobe," Montgomery explains. 'Kobe is a specific regional designation for Wagyu raised in Hyogo, Japan." Think of it like Champagne versus sparkling wine; both can be incredible, but one has a protected name and certain quality standards.
The term Wagyu simply refers to Japanese cattle breeds known for their pronounced marbling and rich flavor. While authentic Japanese Wagyu comes with a high price tag, American Wagyu, raised domestically with similar breeding practices, can offer a comparable experience at a fraction of the cost.
If the idea of a $200 ribeye makes you hesitant, you're not alone. However, lesser-known cuts of Wagyu can provide the same melt-in-your-mouth experience without the hefty price tag. 'Only thirty percent of the animal is composed of primal cuts—sought-after portions like loin and rib—leaving seventy percent as 'trim' that is used for ground beef, summer sausage, and stew meat,' Montgomery advises. 'There are some incredible cuts that cost far less but still deliver amazing flavor and tenderness.'
Often overshadowed by flank or skirt steak, the bavette is a butcher's secret weapon. It's a loose-textured, well-marbled cut that soaks up marinades beautifully and is perfect for high-heat grilling or pan-searing.
Cut from the chuck, the Denver steak is another overlooked gem. "It's one of the most marbled cuts outside of ribeye, yet it's way more affordable," Montgomery notes. "Cook it hot and fast, and you'll get that buttery Wagyu texture without spending a fortune."
For slow-cooked decadence, Montgomery suggests trying Thor's Hammer, a dramatic-looking bone-in beef shank. "It's a showstopper for braising or smoking. When cooked low and slow, the connective tissue melts into an insanely rich, fall-off-the-bone experience," he says. And because it's not a traditional steak cut, it's much more budget-friendly.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy high-quality Wagyu at home is by sourcing directly from ranchers or specialty meat suppliers. "Buying Wagyu online from trusted producers like Valor Provisions allows you to access incredible cuts at a reasonable price," Montgomery suggests. "You can get restaurant-quality beef delivered straight to your door without the markup of a steakhouse."
Additionally, cooking Wagyu at home lets you control the preparation and serving size. A little goes a long way with Wagyu. Because of the rich marbling, even a smaller portion is incredibly satisfying. So, instead of dropping hundreds at a steakhouse, you can treat yourself to a gourmet meal at home for a fraction of the cost.
While Wagyu prices have a reputation for being high, it doesn't have to be out of reach. By exploring alternative cuts and purchasing from reputable sources, you can enjoy the indulgence of Wagyu without emptying your wallet. "It's all about knowing what to look for," Montgomery says. "If you're looking to eat clean and are open to trying different cuts, you can have an amazing Wagyu experience at home—without the luxury price tag."
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I toured the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine that sank 23 enemy vessels and earned 12 battle stars. Take a look inside.
The USS Silversides submarine sank 23 ships and earned 12 battle stars during World War II. Visitors can tour the vessel at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Michigan. The submarine was the site of a successful emergency appendectomy in enemy waters in 1942. Christmas Eve, 1942. The USS Silversides, a US Navy submarine, is surrounded by Japanese warships on a covert patrol in enemy-controlled waters. And George Platter's appendix is about to burst. Platter, a crew member on the USS Silversides, will die if he doesn't get surgery immediately. When the commanding officer gives the order, crew members spring into action. They fashion surgical tools out of utensils from the galley. They find an ironing board to prop up Platter's feet since the table in the wardroom is too short to lie him flat. They submerge beneath the waves to create more stability for the operation, even though the submarine's batteries are only partially charged. The pharmacist's mate, Thomas Moore, has never performed the surgery before. He keeps a medical textbook open next to him the whole time. Platter wakes up during the surgery when the local anesthetic wears off, so they sedate him with ether. It leaks into the rest of the submarine and sedates some of the crew, as well. After four hours, against all odds, the surgery is successful. Platter makes a full recovery and is back on watch six days later. It's extraordinary stories such as this one that are preserved at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Michigan. Visitors can climb aboard the historic submarine, which was awarded 12 battle stars for its service in World War II, and explore its battle stations, cramped bunks, and even the operating table where Platter received his appendectomy. I toured the USS Silversides in May. Here's what I saw. Commissioned in 1941, the USS Silversides sank 23 ships over its 14 war patrols, making it one of the most successful American submarines from World War II. The Gato-class submarine measures 312 feet long and weighs 2,410 tons while submerged. Its standard crew consisted of eight officers and 72 enlisted men. After it was decommissioned in 1946, the USS Silversides was used as a teaching submarine and became a National Historic Landmark. From 1947 to 1969, the USS Silversides was used as a training vessel for the Ninth Naval District in Chicago. It was then moved to the Naval Armory and Navy Pier before arriving in Muskegon to serve as a museum in 1987. It was also used as a movie set for the 2002 film "Below." The submarine is now the star attraction at the USS Silversides Museum in Muskegon. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum is open seven days a week from April through December and operates Thursday through Monday in the winter months of January, February, and March. An all-inclusive ticket to the museum costs $17.50 for adults, $15 for veterans, and is free of charge for active-duty service members. Tickets can be purchased on the museum's website. Like the USS Cobia in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the museum also offers visitors the chance to spend a night on the submarine. The USS Silversides is docked outside the museum in the Muskegon Lake Channel, which leads into Lake Michigan. The Lake Express ferry passes by the USS Silversides Submarine Museum on its route between Muskegon and Milwaukee. As I began my tour of the submarine, the ferry honked its horn as passengers waved at me from the upper deck. The deck featured weapons such as a 4-inch, 50-caliber deck gun, a 40-millimeter antiaircraft gun, and a 20-millimeter surface-to-surface gun. The 40-millimeter antiaircraft gun had the longest range, capable of shooting targets up to 22,800 feet away. A plaque on the deck memorialized the crew member Mike Harbin, who was killed by enemy fire while manning the deck gun. Harbin was 19 years old when he was shot in battle on May 10, 1942. He was buried at sea. The torpedo loading ramp was made of a wood called lignum vitae, which gets slippery when wet. Lignum vitae is Latin for "wood of life." The rest of the deck was made of teakwood, which is impervious to water, fire, and termites. It also doesn't float, which was crucial to maintain the submarine's covert operations if a piece broke off. Decals on the side of the submarine indicated its many wartime accomplishments. The USS Silversides featured stickers showing it sank 30 ships, but that number has since been amended to 23, Bethann Egan, the museum's executive director, told Business Insider. The USS Silversides also damaged 14 ships, cleared 16 enemy mines, and rescued two American paratroopers. The first stop on my tour was the forward torpedo room, where crew members loaded torpedoes into the six torpedo tubes. The room slept 16 crew members on bunks that unfolded alongside the torpedoes, which measured 22 feet long and weighed 3,000 pounds. Lockers above the bunks were used to store personal possessions. All of a crew member's personal items had to fit into one small locker. Colored lights were used to help crew members' eyes adjust to the dark to prevent night blindness. If the submarine was too bright inside, crew members wouldn't be able to see in the dark if they went up onto the deck at night during an attack. The lights used to be blue and then switched to red, which is why the light fixture said "blue" on it even though the light bulb was red. The shower and bathroom in the forward torpedo room were used by the officers, whose bunks were down the hall. Flushing the toilet on the USS Silversides was a 12-step process. One wrong move would cause the toilet's contents to shoot back out. Meals were plated and reheated in the officers' pantry. Officers ate the same meals as the rest of the crew but dined in the privacy of the wardroom instead of the crew's mess. The pantry also stocked snacks and coffee. The table on display in the wardroom was the original table where George Platter's successful appendectomy took place in 1942. "The pharmacist's mate who actually performed it did not technically have permission from all the way up, but the commander made the decision that this needed to happen or else the sailor was going to die," Egan said. "So he stood up for him and made sure that he was not court-martialed after." The wardroom also served as the officers' dining room and lounge. The higher an officer's rank, the fewer people he had to share a room with. Junior and senior officers served as administrators on the submarine, while the executive officer, known as the "XO," was second-in-command to the commanding officer. Officers' quarters included foldout desks and sinks. The rooms also came with storage areas where they could hang their uniforms. The commanding officer enjoyed the only private room on the submarine. His stateroom featured a depth gauge and a compass above the bed so that he could tell how deep the submarine was and which way it was facing at all times. Chief petty officers slept in a room nicknamed the "goat locker." According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the nickname dates back to the 1890s, when chief petty officers took care of the goats kept on ships for fresh milk. Another explanation is that chief petty officers served in the Navy for more than a decade to reach their positions and were known as "old goats." In the yeoman's shack, the yeoman handled the submarine's paperwork. In addition to managing personnel records, the yeoman also kept logs of the submarine's changes in direction, speed, and depth. In the control room, crew members managed the USS Silversides' vital functions with numerous technical instruments. The bow and stern plane wheels pictured above controlled the submarine's depth and angle. The commanding officer would give commands such as "2 degrees right rudder," which the crew would repeat and execute. The ship's inclinometer worked like a carpenter's level to show if the submarine was tilting to one side or the other. Keith Gill, the museum's director of curatorial services, told BI that staff members use this inclinometer "every day" to check on the submarine. "It's almost never centered, and that's because we have some leaks in some tanks that we're monitoring and adjusting air pressure to keep water out," Gill said. The hull opening indicator light panel was known as the "Christmas tree" for its red and green lights. A green light indicated that a vent or hatch was closed, while red meant it was open. The submarine could only submerge when the board was fully lit up in green. The helmsman's wheel steered the submarine. On some World War II submarines, such as the USS Becuna, the main helm was in the conning tower above the control room. On the USS Silversides, the main helm was in the control room itself. The control room also housed the compressed air manifold and trim manifold. The compressed air manifold distributed compressed air throughout the submarine, which was used to start the engines, fire torpedoes, and surface the vessel. The trim manifold showed how much weight was in different tanks on the submarine and moved water between them to maintain the ship's balance as it used up fuel or fired weapons. In the radio room, crew members could communicate with vessels up to 12,000 miles away. Most communications happened in code. Cooks prepared all of the crew's meals in the galley. Cooks were also trained to operate the deck guns and perform other technical tasks around the submarine. Gill noted that during World War II, Black crew members were often relegated to roles in the kitchen and weren't allowed to advance beyond serving as stewards because of the Navy's segregation policies. "One of the negative sides of our past is how we treated African American citizens," he said. "They were in the military, but they were segregated somewhat. On a Navy ship, on a sub, you really can't segregate, but you can control what they're doing." The kitchen featured a piece of equipment I'd never seen on a submarine before: a soft-serve ice cream machine. The kitchen also included a deep fryer. Crew members ate meals in three shifts in the crew's mess. Submarines were known for doing some of the most dangerous work and having some of the most difficult living conditions in the military, but the Navy ensured they received the best food. Submariners also received hazard pay, the highest in the Navy. The enlisted men also slept in shifts in the crew's quarters. Newer crew members slept on the bottom bunks, which could also occasionally be used as food storage early on in a patrol. "Supposedly, they called this the honeymoon suite on top," Egan said. "I don't know if that's 100% accurate." The mattresses in the two middle bunks were placed so close together that they essentially functioned as one bed. Regular crew members showered only every 13 to 15 days in the crew's washroom. Officers showered every three to five days, while the cooks showered every day since they were handling food. The forward and after engine rooms each contained two 1,600-horsepower diesel engines manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse. At top speed, the USS Silversides could travel at 21 knots, or about 24 miles an hour. The forward engine room also contained two evaporators that distilled ocean water into fresh water. The engines are still operational. The USS Silversides' insignia was painted on one of the aft engines. The logo depicts a silverside fish smoking a cigar and holding a torpedo. The maneuvering room was crewed by two electricians who controlled the propulsion of the submarine. At full power, the USS Silversides used 4 million watts of electricity. The last stop on the tour was the aft torpedo room in the back of the submarine. The aft torpedo room was smaller than the forward torpedo room, with four torpedo tubes and room for eight torpedoes. The room displayed a real demilitarized Mark 18 electric torpedo. Electric torpedoes such as the Mark 18 didn't leave a wake, or trail of waves, behind them, making them more difficult to detect. After I finished my tour of the submarine, I visited the museum itself, which featured photos and artifacts from World War II and beyond. I particularly enjoyed an exhibit about the appendectomy that took place in the wardroom, featuring photos from the procedure. Preserving the aging submarine is no small task, but the USS Silversides remains a fascinating testament to the dedication of American service members in World War II. After running its engines in an annual Memorial Day tribute, the museum hopes to give the USS Silversides its first oil change since the 1950s this summer. Eventually, the entire vessel will have to be removed from the water and dry-docked because of leaks in its tanks. The museum applied for federal funding through the Save America's Treasures grant program, but Egan said during my May visit that they might not end up receiving it because of sweeping cuts made by the White House DOGE office. "They have not officially cut that funding source yet, but it's not looking good," Egan said. When the submarine was on active duty, the entire 80-person crew worked tirelessly to maintain the ship, and the Navy financed all necessary repairs and upgrades. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum's preservation efforts, however, are privately funded and largely volunteer-driven. "We're just poor museum people who are trying to honor the commitment that these guys made over 14 war patrols to protect our country," Gill said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
China Fired Warning Shots at US Ally's Warship in Chinese Waters: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China fired warning shots as a Japanese warship strayed into Chinese territorial waters in the East China Sea last year, according to a new report. Newsweek contacted the Japanese and Chinese foreign ministries for comment via email. Why It Matters Heightened friction continues between China and Japan, and U.S. defense treaty ally. These tensions are driven by China's rapid military buildup, the increasing frequency and scale of People's Liberation Army (PLA) military drills around Beijing-claimed Taiwan, and Chinese coast guard patrols near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, known in China as the Diaoyu islands. What To Know On July 4, 2024, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki was operating in international waters off the coast of China's Zhejiang province, north of the Taiwan Strait. The ship was monitoring the live-fire drills being carried out by PLA's Eastern Theater Command. Zhejiang's maritime authority had previously declared a no-sail zone for July 3 and 4. In a surprising turn of events, the 6,800-ton vessel then sailed toward China's territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles) from Zhejiang's coastal baselines. This 2016 file photo shows the Japanese destroyer JS Suzutsuki. This 2016 file photo shows the Japanese destroyer JS Suzutsuki. Wikimedia Commons After repeated demands to change course went unheeded, Chinese forces fired at least two shells in warning—one before the ship crossed into the zone and another once it was in territorial waters, Japan's Kyodo News reported on Sunday, citing multiple sources familiar with China-Japan ties. Neither shell struck the Suzutsuki, and no damage was reported. The ship remained in the territorial sea for about 20 minutes. The cause of the incident was later traced to a crew error—failing to activate the navigational chart display that marks the boundary between international and territorial waters, per Kyodo. Newsweek was unable to independently confirm Kyodo's report. Beijing criticized the "illegal and improper move." It also called on Tokyo to mount an investigation and take measures to prevent a similar incident. The captain of the JS Suzutsuki was replaced that month after only two months in the role, then-Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed in September. He told reporters it was not Defense Ministry policy to share the reason for personnel transfers. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, foreign-flagged vessels—including those of other navies—are permitted to transit territorial waters under the principle of innocent passage. China, however, has asserted that foreign warships must obtain permission to pass through its territorial waters. In August 2024, a Chinese spy plane drew a strong protest from Tokyo after briefly entering Japanese airspace in what Beijing said was an accident. What People Are Saying Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, wrote on X: "[People's Republic of China vessels] fired warning shots at JS Suzutsuki last July, including before the JMSDF ship even entered PRC territorial sea. Escalatory for sure." What Happens Next Japan's Defense Ministry, in a 2025 white paper, described Beijing as Tokyo's "greatest strategic challenge," citing an increase in Chinese naval deployments near Japanese territory and deepening military cooperation with Russia. The paper also warned that the gap in capabilities between Chinese and Taiwanese forces continues to widen. Beijing claims the self-ruled democracy as its own territory and has vowed to unify with it, by force if necessary.
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Nagasaki mayor warns about possibility of nuclear war 80 years after A-bomb
NAGASAKI – Thousands bowed their heads in prayer in Nagasaki on Saturday to mark the 80th anniversary of the city's atomic bombing, as the mayor warned that current global conflicts could push the world again into nuclear war. The western Japanese city was levelled on August 9, 1945, when the United States dropped a 10,000-pound plutonium-239 bomb, nicknamed 'Fat Man', instantly killing some 27,000 of the city's estimated 200,000 people. By the end of 1945, the death toll from acute radiation exposure had reached about 70,000. Nagasaki's destruction came three days after a U.S. uranium-235 bomb destroyed Hiroshima. Advertisement 6 Catholics leave Urakami Cathedral for a peace march to Hypocenter Park, on the 80th anniversary of the bombing of the city of Nagasaki. REUTERS 6 Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offers a flower wreath for the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing. REUTERS Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War Two. After a moment of silence at 11:02 a.m., marking the time of the blast, Mayor Shiro Suzuki called on leaders to return to the principles of the U.N. Charter and show a concrete path toward abolishing nuclear weapons, warning that delay was 'no longer permissible'. Advertisement 'This is a crisis of human survival that is closing in on each and every one of us,' Suzuki told the crowd, estimated by Japanese media at 2,700. He quoted the testimony of a survivor to illustrate the reality of a nuclear attack: 'Around me were people whose eyeballs had popped out… Bodies were strewn about like stones.' 'Is it not this 'global citizen' perspective that will serve as the driving force behind stitching back together our fragmented world?' Suzuki asked, calling for a solution based on mutual understanding and solidarity. Advertisement The U.S. military is believed to have chosen Nagasaki as a target due to its significance as a major industrial and port city. The city's geographical features, including its hilly terrain, were also thought to concentrate the blast. 6 The Japanese city was hit on August 9, 1945, when the United States dropped a 10,000-pound plutonium-239 bomb, instantly killing some 27,000 of Nagasaki's estimated 200,000 people. Buyenlarge via Getty Images 6 'This is a crisis of human survival that is closing in on each and every one of us,' Mayor Shiro Suzuki said, calling for a concrete path to abolishing nuclear weapons. AP Advertisement Representatives from 95 countries and territories, including nuclear superpower the United States, and Israel — which neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weapons — attended the annual ceremony at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park for the milestone year. Russia, which possesses the world's largest nuclear stockpile, was also represented. Daiji Kawanaka, a 14-year-old tourist from Osaka, echoed the mayor's sentiments. 6 Doves are released over the Peace Statue during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombing at the Peace Park in Nagasaki. AP 'I truly believe a tragedy like this must never be repeated,' he told Reuters, saying the anniversary prompts conversations about peace even among his young peers. 'We can only pledge to take the initiative ourselves in making a step toward peace.' Japan's leading organization of A-bomb survivors, Nihon Hidankyo, won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for campaigning for a world without nuclear weapons. Survivors, known as 'hibakusha', continue to suffer the effects from radiation and social discrimination. 6 Japan is the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks. REUTERS Advertisement With their numbers falling below 100,000 for the first time this year, their stories fuel ongoing efforts to advocate for a nuclear-free world. Japan, the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, has stated its commitment to nuclear disarmament but is not a signatory or observer of the U.N. treaty to ban nuclear weapons.
