Where Does Angus Beef Come From?

Angus beef is one of the most popular types of beef in the world. Its name is globally recognized as a mark of quality and flavor. But where exactly does this famous beef come from? Let’s take a closer look at the origins and history of Angus cattle.

A Scottish Breed

Angus cattle originated from Aberdeen and Angus counties in Scotland. They are named after the regions where they were first bred.

The exact origins are debated, but Angus cattle are described in Scottish farm records as early as the 1600s. Originally called “Aberdeen Black Cattle”, the breed became known as Angus in the 1800s.

Fun Fact: Angus cattle are also nicknamed “doddies” because they naturally lack horns. The process of removing horns is called “dodding”.

Why Were Angus Cattle Developed?

Angus cattle were selectively bred to thrive in the cold, rugged climate of northeast Scotland. The breed needed to be hardy and robust to survive the long winters.

Key traits that were favored:

Black, heat-absorbing coats to withstand the cold weather
Muscular, thick bodies to store fat reserves
Naturally polled (without horns) for safety
High fertility rates
Lean beef with finely marbled fat

These ideal traits created cattle that could produce tender, flavorful beef off the sparse local pastures.

Spreading Across the World

By the 1800s, Angus cattle were being exported from Scotland to other countries. Their hearty characteristics made them a popular beef breed choice for farmers and ranchers.

Some key events in the spread of Angus cattle:

1794 – First Angus cattle imported to England
1817 – Angus cattle reach Australia, originally Tasmania
1873 – Angus bulls imported to New Zealand
1878 – First Angus cattle brought to Canada
1883 – Angus cattle introduced in the United States

The breed expanded rapidly in these new regions through breeding programs and cattle crossbreeding.

Today, Angus is the most dominant beef breed in America, Australia and other countries. Over half the cattle raised for beef in the US have Angus genetics.

Why Is Angus Beef So Popular?

Angus beef has many appealing qualities that have driven its popularity around the world:

Marbling – Angus is renowned for its abundant marbling or intramuscular fat. This gives it superior taste, tenderness and juiciness.
Consistency – The cattle are bred carefully to high standards, ensuring reliable meat quality.
Calm temperament – Being polled and docile makes Angus cattle easier and safer to handle.
Efficient growth – Angus gain weight well on grass before finishing on grain, making raising them profitable.
Lean muscle – The meat has less waste fat and higher meat yield compared to other breeds.
Broad appeal – From high-end steaks to everyday burgers, Angus satisfies many tastes and budgets.

Cattle Breeding Continues

Work on refining Angus cattle genetics never stopped after the breed’s initial development centuries ago in Scotland.

There are now a number of specialized Angus breed associations and cattle registries around the world. They maintain pedigree records, set breeding goals and supply breeding stock.

Some of the most influential include:

American Angus Association – Founded in 1883, the world’s largest beef breed association. Home to over 350,000 Angus cattle registrations per year.
Certified Angus Beef – Established in 1978, this brand highlights Angus cattle meeting 10 strict criteria for quality, consistency and taste. Not all Angus beef qualifies.
Angus New Zealand – Runs a robust herd improvement and bull breeding program to drive genetics forward.

These organizations continue to foster Angus improvement through modern cattle breeding techniques. DNA testing now allows more accuracy in selecting the best bulls and heifers to produce the next generation of quality Angus cattle.

The Future of Angus

After centuries of refinement, the Angus breed has proven itself as the world’s premier beef cattle breed. Its advantage of efficiently producing tasty, tender beef is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.

With global beef consumption on the rise, Angus looks set to continue dominating beef production worldwide. Cattle breeding innovation will also open up new possibilities, whether crossing Angus with other breeds or incorporating new genetic technologies.

One thing is clear – the iconic black cattle that originated on the Scottish plains so long ago have ensured their place in beef farming history. Wherever you find Angus beef on menus or in stores today, you’re tasting the culmination of generations of cattle breeding success.

Where does Certified Angus Beef come from?

FAQ

Where are Angus beef from?

Angus, breed of black, polled beef cattle, for many years known as Aberdeen Angus, originating in northeastern Scotland. Its ancestry is obscure, though the breed appears closely related to the curly-coated Galloway, sometimes called the oldest breed in Britain.

Why is Angus beef so special?

Generally, Black Angus tastes better and is more tender than other beef. This is attributed to the meat’s marbling – a trait that Black Angus is known for. In marbled meat, the fat is distributed thinly and evenly, which leads to consistent flavor, juiciness, and flavor.

What is the difference between Angus and regular beef?

Angus beef develops with better marbling (the amount of intramuscular fat) than most cattle. Most people agree that marbling improves flavor, tenderness, and keeps meat moist while cooking, especially at high temperatures.

What is the origin of Angus beef?

Angus Roots The Angus has its roots in 12th Century Scotland, where the black hornless cattle were raised by highland farmers. But it wasn’t until the 1800’s that an effort was made to refine the breed into what it is today.