How to identify raw beef
When purchasing raw beef, how to identify its freshness and quality is a concern for many consumers. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a structured guide to identifying raw beef to help you make a wise decision when purchasing.
1. Observe the color

Fresh raw beef is usually bright red or dark red in color with a shiny surface. If the color is dark or brown, it may be stale. The following is a comparison of the color of beef in different states:
| Status | color characteristics |
|---|---|
| fresh beef | Bright red or dark red, shiny surface |
| Stale beef | Dark or brown, matte surface |
2. Smell the smell
Fresh beef usually has a light meaty smell, but there is no pungent odor. If you smell sour, rancid, or other unusual odors, the beef may have gone bad.
| Status | Odor characteristics |
|---|---|
| fresh beef | Light meaty smell |
| spoiled beef | Sour, rancid or other abnormal odors |
3. Touch texture
Fresh beef is elastic to the touch and quickly returns to its original shape after being pressed. If the beef feels sticky or is indented after being pressed, it is no longer fresh.
| Status | texture characteristics |
|---|---|
| fresh beef | Elastic and recovers quickly after pressing |
| Stale beef | Sticky, dented and irreversible after pressing |
4. Check fat distribution
The fat of high-quality beef is evenly distributed and appears white or creamy yellow. If the fat is yellow or unevenly distributed, it may be lower quality beef.
| Status | Fat characteristics |
|---|---|
| premium beef | Fat is evenly distributed, white or creamy yellow |
| inferior beef | Fat is yellowish or unevenly distributed |
5. Check packaging and labels
If it is packaged beef, be sure to check whether the packaging is intact and whether the production date, shelf life and other information on the label are clear. The following is label information to note:
| Label information | Things to note |
|---|---|
| Production date | Select beef with the latest production date |
| shelf life | Make sure to consume it within the shelf life |
| Storage conditions | Confirm compliance with refrigeration or freezing requirements |
6. Choice of purchasing channels
Choose regular supermarkets, butcher shops or e-commerce platforms to buy beef, and avoid buying from roadside stalls or unlicensed merchants. Beef from formal channels usually undergoes strict quality inspection, so the quality is more guaranteed.
7. Hot topic: How to avoid buying water-injected beef?
In the past 10 days, there has been a lot of discussion about "water-injected beef". Here's how to identify buffalo beef:
| How to identify | Description |
|---|---|
| Observe the meat quality | Water-injected beef is loose and water seeps out after being cut. |
| Press test | Moisture leaks out after pressing and recovery is slow |
| paper towel test | Place a paper towel on the meat. If it gets wet quickly, it may be water-injected beef. |
Summary
Distinguishing the freshness and quality of raw beef requires comprehensive observation of color, smell, texture, fat distribution, and packaging labeling. Through the above methods, you can buy high-quality raw beef with more confidence. At the same time, paying attention to recent hot topics such as how to identify "buffalo beef" can also help you avoid buying inferior products.
I hope this article can provide you with practical reference, and I wish you a happy shopping!
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