# Influence of Beef Hot Carcass Weight on Sensory Characteristics of Strip Loin, Eye of Round, and Denver Cut Steaks

## TL;DR

This study examines how the weight of beef carcasses affects the taste and texture of specific steak cuts, finding that middleweight carcasses generally produce more liked and tender steaks.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how carcass weight influences sensory attributes of specific beef cuts, which can guide consumer preferences and industry practices.

## Key findings

- USDA Select middleweight Denver cut steaks were more tender and juicy than lightweight steaks.
- USDA Select middleweight strip loin steaks had higher flavor and texture liking scores than lightweight steaks.
- USDA Choice middleweight eye of round steaks were juicier and more liked than lightweight steaks.

## Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of beef hot carcass weight (HCW) on consumer sensory attributes. Beef carcasses (n = 116) were selected based on the USDA quality grade and HCW. Lightweight (LW; 296–341 kg), middleweight (MW; 386–432 kg), or heavyweight (HW; 466–524 kg) carcasses with USDA Choice (LC) or USDA Select (SEL) quality grades were used in this study. Carcasses were tracked through fabrication and the semitendinosus, chuck roll, and strip loin were collected and fabricated into eye of round, Denver cut, and strip loin steaks, respectively, for consumer sensory evaluation. USDA Select MW Denver cut steaks had increased overall liking and texture liking scores and were more tender and juicier than the SEL LW steaks (p ≤ 0.02). USDA Select MW strip loin steaks had increased overall and flavor liking scores and were more tender than the SEL LW steaks (p ≤ 0.02). USDA Choice MW eye of round steaks had increased overall, flavor, and texture liking scores and were juicier than the LW eye of round steaks (p ≤ 0.04). The steaks evaluated in this study were differentially impacted by HCW and little to no clear pattern of effects could be determined across cut or quality grade. Additional research is needed to determine the most acceptable HCW from a consumer perspective.