Secret of Iowa Beef

It seems like everyone has heard about New York steak, the great beef that comes from Texas cattle, or even the bragging rights of Montana ranchers claiming they have the best steak no one's ever heard of.  Lost in all of this is the secret of Iowa beef.  Some of the best steak in the world comes from cows raised on family farms in Iowa, farms that don't use growth hormone or normal feed.  This should make sense as the best corn in the world is right there in the state, the best feed in the world can be made in Iowa, and the cattle grazing on grass are eating grass and plant life growing from some of the best soil in the entire world.  In the end, that makes a huge difference when it comes to how the beef tastes.  If you don't believe me, look up information on Kobe beef online.  There are many benefits to living in the Midwest, and aside from the low cost of living, it's hard to argue that you can eat better (for cheaper) anywhere else in the world than right in the Heartland, and that's a secret many of us are happy to keep.

Iowa is very well known for producing corn and hogs, and also for producing potatoes by the many many people who apparently didn't pay attention in geography class.  But corn and hogs are only one part of this farm state's massive harvest, as soybeans and beef are also major commodities, as well as timber.  Iowa is a state that provides massive crops, and the deer hunting is also on par with being as good as it gets (at least before the DNR unwisely released too many mountain lions in the NE part of the state) - in part because the deer meat tastes better.  But when you feed off soybeans, corn, and hay instead of scruffy grass, that does help.  One of the benefits of living in Iowa is also the many farmer's markets.  There aren't many places you can get a ridiculous amount of delicious food for a really small price, but these are very common in Iowa, and you can tell the soil is the best because of the size of the harvest, as well as the quality change in taste.

So Iowa meat is some of the best in the world, but that leaves open the very valid question of what should go with that steak?  If you're completely into eating locally and supporting the family owned businesses, there are some options.  There are actually a surprising number of Iowa wines to choose from, and apparently Iowa had great vineyards prior to the 1930s or 1940s when a strong chemical pesticide killed most of the grape vines.  Amana Colony wines are too sweet for my taste, but there are some surprisingly good finds in the state.  If you like the whole Texas cowboy image and want something a little stronger, then Templeton Rye Whiskey not only has a very good reputation as a quality hard liquor, but they have a great history.  If you visit the distillery there's a great picture of the current owner's grandfather shaking hands with Al Capone. Like I said, as far as good drinks to go with the steak, you have some options.

Iowa Beef Company

Hunting Knife Selection Guide

Teak Bar Stools

Red Bar Stools

Low Calorie Mixed Drinks

Lose Weight Green Tea

Raw Almond Butter