Het geheim van Iers rundvlees!
Irish cattle graze outside for an average of 220 days a year. The animals go outside in the spring, usually between February and April. The younger, lighter animals go first, because they damage the still moist soils and grassy areas the least. Irish farmers are careful with their grass! To protect the vulnerable soil, Irish cattle are therefore indoors in winter. Yet they also eat grass there, in the form of hay and silage grass. For example, the diet of Irish cattle consists of 90% grass.
No less than 80% of Irish farmland consists of pasture. Ireland’s climate and soil are optimal for grass growth: plenty of rain, mild temperatures, and soil rich in limestone make for a long growing season. In addition, a lot of clover grows, such as shamrock. This type of clover is the national symbol of Ireland for a reason! Clover is an important soil improver, which is rich in natural protein, making it valuable animal feed.
The grass-fed diet of Irish cattle gives the meat a nice intense taste, but there is also increasing scientific evidence that meat from grass-fed cattle is healthier than meat from cattle fed with grains. Irish beef is naturally high in protein and low in sodium and contains vitamins and minerals that are important for a healthy diet. Recent research shows that grass-fed beef contains a higher concentration of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, building blocks for good health. Irish beef is also low in fat, and contains less saturated fat than meat from cattle fed concentrates. More good news, especially for people who like to watch their weight: grass-fed beef is also higher in linoleic acid. And research shows that linoleic acid inhibits the production of fat cells in humans.
The combination of a grass diet and plenty of exercise ensures tender meat with a beautiful and intense meat taste, which also fits perfectly into a responsible consumption pattern.
In Ireland, there’s no shortage of that one special ingredient that makes for great beef: grass. An Irish cattle walks outside in vast meadows for an average of 220 days a year, 24 hours a day and then eats… grass! The outdoors and grass diet makes for just extraordinary beef, nice and tender with an intense meat flavor.
