Editing Beef (section)

=== Aging and tenderization ===
{{Main|Beef aging}}
{{further|Meat#Conditioning|Meat preservation|Meat tenderness}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
To improve [[meat tenderness|tenderness]] of beef, it is often aged (i.e., stored refrigerated) to allow endogenous [[proteolytic]] enzymes to weaken structural and [[myofibrillar]] proteins. Wet aging is accomplished using vacuum packaging to reduce spoilage and yield loss. Dry aging involves hanging primals (usually ribs or loins) in humidity-controlled coolers. Outer surfaces dry out and can support growth of molds (and spoilage bacteria, if too humid), resulting in trim and evaporative losses.

Evaporation concentrates the remaining proteins and increases flavor intensity; the molds can contribute a nut-like flavor. After two to three days there are significant effects. The majority of the tenderizing effect occurs in the first 10 days. Boxed beef, stored and distributed in vacuum packaging, is, in effect, wet aged during distribution. Premium steakhouses dry age for 21 to 28 days or wet age up to 45 days for maximum effect on flavor and tenderness.

Meat from less tender cuts or older cattle can be mechanically tenderized by forcing small, sharp blades through the cuts to disrupt the proteins. Also, solutions of exogenous proteolytic enzymes ([[papain]], [[bromelin]] or [[ficin]]) can be applied or injected to augment the endogenous enzymes; this can be done with purified enzyme or by using a [[marinade]] including ingredients that naturally contain the enzyme (e.g. [[papaya]] for papain or [[pineapple]] for bromelin). Similarly, solutions of salt and sodium phosphates can be injected to soften and swell the myofibrillar proteins. This improves juiciness and tenderness. Salt can improve the flavor, but phosphate can contribute a soapy flavor.