Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Sheer bliss in the hills of mid Wales.



This is no ordinary beef. Its Wagyu beef - known world-wide for its flavour, tenderness and succulence. The breed originates from Japan, but Ivor Humphreys' Montgomeryshire herd, from which this cut came, has been bred from stock imported from Australia. Its qualities are derived from the extra 'marbling' which my newly acquired photography skills have captured rather well. Historically, Wagyu were pampered, treated to massage and beer to create the contentment needed for best results. Works for me as well. In this case, Ivor provided the massage, and the Pam Honeyman, who brewer at our local Monty Brewery provided the beer. Ivor came up with a great line in his speech. We all know the slogan of 'From pasture to plate' to advertise knowledge of an animal's history. Well, Sue Turley, who implanted the semen which eventually produced this cut, was present and on my table today. Ivor's slogan was 'From conception to consumption'.

Sue's services are no longer needed, because Ivor has bought himself a Wagyu bull. Unless he turns out to be impotent of course. Which is what happened to a French limousin bull named Boris, who is owned by Dave Joyce from Solihull (according to today's Telegraph). Dave was on the point of sending Boris on his last journey to the abattoir because of his total disinterest in the ladies, when his farmhand, Rob Smith tried feeding him with a herbal remedy he acquired from the Internet. The capsules are a blend of horny goat weed, cordyceps, damiana, avena sativa, and muira puama. Mr Joyce reckons that "since he's been on this herbal Viagra, he's been rampant". Personally, I'd prefer to stick with the massage and beer. If any of you visitors are interested, Mr Joyce has started selling sausages, containing the herbal mix in his farm shop.

And the young chefs at Coleg Powys, who prepared the seven different Wagyu courses were great. For those of who watch Ffermio, Alun Elidir was filming it all for Monday's programme.

3 comments:

Jeff Jones said...

According to Johnny Cash there was a boy called Sue. First reading of this seemed to suggest that there was also a bull called Sue!

That Brother again! said...

"Well, Sue Turley, who implanted the semen which eventually produced this cut, was present and on my table today. Ivor's slogan was 'From conception to consumption'."

Amazing, Glyn, the difference that two letters can make to the picture conjured up in one's imagination particularly when rampant bulls and AI are being discussed. Presumably you intended to say 'at' instead of 'on'!!

Anonymous said...

Where do we buy the beef