| The Internet has become a very popular place to | | | | 3) What is a fair price for Prime and Choice meats? |
| purchase high quality steaks, meats and other food | | | | With any online product, prices vary greatly. Many |
| products. The question for most online buyers of | | | | online merchants charge exaggerated prices for what |
| these products is "Am I getting the best product for | | | | you are getting, however there are many merchants |
| the best price". A number of factors should be taken | | | | who sell an excellent product for a very fair price. |
| into account before you purchase any food product | | | | Remember, when shopping for steaks online you are |
| online. In this editorial, we are going to focus primarily | | | | wanting and paying for a high-end, quality culinary |
| on steaks, but will touch on other related food | | | | experience. Anything less, you might as well go to |
| products. | | | | the super market. Look for online merchants that |
| 1) How is meat graded and why? | | | | have USDA Officials onsite at their own facility or |
| The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | | | | their suppliers' facility. Beyond that, it is best to scan |
| Beef grades are most commonly known as USDA | | | | many online steak retailers and compare product |
| Prime, USDA Choice and USDA Select. (The following | | | | prices. Also take into account shipping costs. Be wary |
| percentages represent only the produced beef within | | | | of free shipping combined with low priced steaks. |
| these 3 grade levels) USDA Prime grade beef | | | | Usually this means you are going to get an inferior |
| accounts for the top 2%* of all produced beef in the | | | | grade of meat. Most reputable merchants will charge |
| US. Ranked for it high degree of marbling and | | | | a fair price for the steaks and a reasonable shipping |
| tenderness, This highly sought after cut is usually only | | | | charge based on weight, (not purchase level). It is |
| found in high-end restaurants and online suppliers. | | | | expensive for any online merchant to ship meat. Dry |
| USDA Choice grade beef accounts for 53%* of all | | | | Ice is usually added, packed in a cooler with the |
| produced beef in the US. Ranked as number two in | | | | steaks. We have added a list with our top 6 picks of |
| grading, there is a wide variation of quality within this | | | | online steak merchants and ranked them according to |
| grade. Within Choice grade are 3 categories of | | | | grade, price and shipping. We have only included |
| marbling, which contributes to the overall flavor, | | | | merchants who clearly label their products as Prime |
| tenderness and juiciness of the meat. | | | | and Choice cuts. (internet research pricing as of 07 |
| - a.) The first level of Choice grading is moderate | | | | 14/2008) |
| marbling and accounts for 5% of USDA graded | | | | Highly recommended: |
| meats. | | | | Online Store Prime Filet Mignon Shipping** |
| - b.) The second level of Choice grading is modest | | | | $42.49 lb $14.95 - 4 lb order |
| marbling and accounts for 14% of USDA graded | | | | $39.95 lb $18.07 - 4 lb order |
| meats. | | | | $44.50 lb $23.78 - 4 lb order |
| - c.) The third level of Choice grading is small marbling | | | | $56.65 lb $27.95 - 4 lb order |
| and accounts for 34% of USDA graded meats. | | | | $59.98 lb $16.95 - 4 lb order |
| USDA Select grade beef accounts for the remaining | | | | $70.98 lb $32.95 - 4 lb order |
| 45%*. Low in marbling, tenderness and price, this | | | | Online Store Choice Filet Mignon Shipping** |
| grade is most often found on supermarket shelves. | | | | $25.95 lb $18.07 - 4 lb order |
| This grade can very often be dry and tough. | | | | $29.99 lb $18.99 - 4 lb order |
| Marinating is often needed to keep these steaks | | | | $29.95 lb $19.99 - 4 lb order |
| moist. As with any product, the higher grade or | | | | $44.98 lb $16.95 - 4 lb order |
| quality almost always demands a higher price. | | | | $37.25 lb $30.00 - 4 lb order |
| 2) What do I look for when buying steaks online? | | | | $39.99 lb $33.95 - 4 lb order |
| - a.) Be sure to look for the words "Prime, Choice or | | | | 4) How do I know if an online steak store is a local |
| Select" when an online supplier describes the product | | | | or family owned meat house or just a reseller from a |
| they are selling. If the description is void of any of | | | | commercial supplier and does it really make a |
| these key words, you most likely will be purchasing | | | | difference? |
| the lowest grade of meat and usually at an elevated | | | | Internet online steak merchants are made up of both. |
| price. Note: Avoid steaks or meats only labeled | | | | It should not be a focus of the purchaser whether |
| "premium", "Gourmet", "aged" or other generic | | | | your online purchases come from a butcher shop or |
| sounding term, if they are not labeled Prime or | | | | a commercial cutter. Both types must maintain their |
| Choice, you are most likely getting a select grade. | | | | facility according to USDA standards and must |
| - b.) Be sure the meat is labeled USDA either within | | | | provide you product as it is represented. Many online |
| the meat category or in the product description | | | | stores do indeed provide online steaks and other |
| when purchasing from an online supplier. | | | | products provided by a commercial facility. More |
| - c.) It is not reasonable to expect online suppliers to | | | | often that not these facilities provide better grade |
| advertise what level of Choice grade meat you are | | | | meats at a more consistent level than the smaller |
| buying because of the constant change of meat | | | | producers. Like many industries, the buying power of |
| supplies. This knowledge usually comes from | | | | larger facilities can demand this level of quality and |
| purchasing experience with the company or by | | | | consistency. For the consumer, concentrate on the |
| emailing the online retailer and asking if their Choice | | | | grade of cut, the clarity of the description, the |
| grade marbling is moderate, modest or small. Most | | | | variety of products offered and most importantly, |
| reputable commercial cutters try to maintain a high | | | | price. |
| level of consistency to maintain their reputation as a | | | | *Source USDA and 2000 National Beef Quality Audit |
| high-end supplier. | | | | **Based on 100 mile distance from shipping origin. |