Consumer Evaluation of the Palatability of Usda Select, Usda Choice and Certified Angus Beef Strip Loin Steaks From Retail Markets in Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A.

Select, Choice and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) strip loin steaks were sold in Lubbock, TX to determine consumer acceptability. A home survey was attached to each package of steaks (return = 191 steak evaluations). Consumers did not detect differencesintendernessorflavor,butratedCABsteaksjuicier(P 0.05) between grades. Trained sensory panelistsratedCABsteakshigher(P < 0.05)thanChoiceorSelectforallpalatability traits except flavor intensity. Shear force decreased (P < 0.05) by quality grade as CAB steaks sheared with the least resistance. These results showed marbling influenced objective palatability measures and decreased the variation in both objective and consumer measures of palatability.