Grass Fed Cows in Colombia

ColombianoGringo says on Feb 15, 2007, 12:40:

A good steak in Colombia is comparable to or better than a premium steak in the US. When I am in Colombia, I will gorge myself on steak as much as I can because it is so much better than most steak you can get here.

I know my novia hates that I will sometimes eat at the same place night after night when in Neiva.

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Strobers says on Feb 15, 2007, 12:47:

That Natural Way is the only way to go. The reason why 1/2 of all men and 1/3 of all women in the U.S. get cancer is because of what they eat. Several studies have suggested that cancer could be cut by 75% just by changing the way we eat.

Although it's more expensive, the best way to go is to buy and eat food that is organically grown. The pestcides that are sprayed to kills bugs and insects on crops, is consumed by domestic animals, which in turn are eaten by humans, with disasterous results. Cows that are fed organic grains and grass, and are not pumped up with hormones and other synthetic drugs are the safest to eat as you are ingesting meat, not sythesized meat with chemical byproducts. The meat also tasts fresher and better.

If you don't believe me, try this as an experiment. Eat organic beef for two weeks and then eat regular beef at the end of the two weeks. The meat will taste bad, as if it had been in the sun too long. It's gross, but you will see first hand why it's important to put healthy food in your body and not junk.

Eat organic.

"Life is too serious to be taken seriously"

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arthur brode says on Feb 15, 2007, 13:55:

Tuff? Go to Leños y Carbon and order the Filet Miñon.Its like butter.(17k)

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Waterdawg says on Feb 15, 2007, 14:58:

Tuff ain't the word for it ! Colombian beef tastes like shoe leather to me ! # 1 they don't know how to cook it ( unless you like well done burnt beef ) .. And no grass fed beef is not organic ! Hey Art where is Lenos & Carbon ????

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arthur brode says on Feb 15, 2007, 15:45:

they dont have one in Bog? there are several of them in Cali .

http://www.calirentals.net/

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podborski says on Feb 15, 2007, 16:02:

great steaks in bogota The restaurant 1492 in zona rosa does an excellent lomo de bife, for 14,000 cop I think.

I am quite sure it is how the cows are fed. I've had steaks in alberta, texas, japan, colombia and argentina (and lots of other lesser places of course) and argentina wins hands down, but colombia is second, texas third, then japan and alberta, IMHO.

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morphus says on Feb 15, 2007, 17:18:

The beef in Colombia is like rubber. You're better off with the hormone variety.
Anyway, I only eat beef once or twice a year when my body tells me :)

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poco says on Feb 15, 2007, 17:37:

You_all have got to be kidding Come on,,,, be serious. The steak where I live is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better. People the world over know that Texas is synonymous with THE BEST steak and BBQ. Probably Canada is second.

Sooner or later the light of day will shine and people will determine that ALMOST EVERYTHING in Colombia is SECOND BEST, or third.

Anything that has VALUE is shipped out of the Country to a place in the world where people have,,,, get ready,,, MONEY to purchase the goods.



THE VERY FACT that Lenos Restaurant features STEAKS from Argentina tells me that there is NOTHING being produced in Colombia that is EQUAL.



PS: The COFFEE availability is the same.

Houston,, ahhhh, HOME OF GREAT STEAKS !

Fully trimmed and fork tender - our Certified Angus Beef Filets set the standard for exquisite tenderness and taste. We hand select the meat for our filets according to the most exacting grading and marbling standards and then hand cut the steaks from the center of the tenderloin -- the richest, most buttery cut of beef available. We then release its full flavor by aging the filets 30 to 35 days. If you want to serve your guests the best, serve them Taste of Texas Certified Angus Beef Filets.

What's nice ? The Taste of Texas is a moderately priced resturant.


My favorite is the RIB EYE cut. Patrons can look at the beef (PS: there aren't any flies on the slabs of beef) and tell them to "slice it there",, who cares about ounces anyway ?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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morphus says on Feb 15, 2007, 22:11:

Most fruits and Vegtables are definately better in Colombia. I don't like the carrots though. The meat I bought in Colombia was so so. I bought a carton of eggs in Colombia with a rotten egg in it. Before that, I have never seen a rotten egg before. After that experience, I will never buy eggs in Colombia again.

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 15, 2007, 22:13:

I've eaten plenty of grass fed organic beef and it was nothing to write home about. We didn't have money to buy regular beef so we had to eat our own cattle. I never eat beef in Colombia because it's terrible. Given a choice between my shoe and a Colombian piece of meat I'd eat my shoe. The shoe has both more flavor and was cooked less. Of course all I see down there are the damm Zebus and they're not worth eating anyway.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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morphus says on Feb 15, 2007, 22:43:

Whats the difference between the mercado and the supermarket?

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juanalejo says on Feb 16, 2007, 05:14:

Poco and UC Poco the reason we also sell Argentinian Beef is because it is the best in the world, no matter how good the Beef is here there is always people who want the best in the world.

UC you can complain about Colombian Beef as much as you want (as you always do about everything Colombian), but the truth is that Colombian beef specifically from the region your wife is from is sold in upmarket shops in the NE USA, maybe they just like eating shoes or maybe they actually have a more balance patriotic sense and actually enjoy the best from all over the world. I know it is the NE which in general is a very different country but never the less it is still the USA.

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podborski says on Feb 16, 2007, 06:03:

a LOT has to do with how it is cooked In Argentina EVERY restaurant has a proper hardwood bbq, even the tiniest hole-in-the-wall place. No charcoal, no gas, only hardwood.

Plus they use a ton of salt. Bad for you but tastes great.

The favourite cut is 'asado', beef short ribs, bone in. Not nearly as fatty as ribs I am used to at home, but far better tasting. No need for bbq sauce, that would be sacrilege.

The same meat cooked in a pan would still be good, but not fantastic.

So if the steaks I have at 1492 (in Bogota) are cooked in a skillet (I think so) and still taste pretty good, there has to be some decent meat in colombia (we´re talking cows here morphus).

But I don't eat the street food there anymore, getting sick once is all it takes. Nasty.

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JMCana says on Feb 16, 2007, 06:10:

You may have hit upon something Pod - you may have something there, well in combination with grass fed cows. All the meat I have eaten here has always been cooked with hardwood. My friend uses hardwood for his parilla. The two main restaurants I eat at in my small town use hardwood. Now I need to go taste the meat when cooked another way.

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cali373 says on Feb 16, 2007, 07:24:

Grass fed beef is not necessarely organic. In Colombia antibiotics are used on cattle, but the U.S.(or any place that uses this system) factory farm system far supercedes in the amount of substances pumped into cattle.

GO ORGANIC IS A GOOD MOTTO. However eating organic beef will also lead to heart disease in anyplace. I am not a big beef eater but the burgers I have in Caldas taste a whole lot better than any burger I had stateside. However 2 things determine how something tastes, how it was produced and how it is cooked. Organic beef will not taste so good if it is not cooked and seasoned well. I think it is Uruguay that has the best quality beef in the Americas, even better than Argentina.

I have to agree that the Chicken is SOOOOO much better in Colombia than in the U.S. I mostly order consume (chicken soup) while in Colombia because I know I will miss the taste when I get back.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Waterdawg says on Feb 16, 2007, 07:42:

Age the dam stuff # 1 Problem one down here ( with beef ) is they don't hang there beef like folks up north .. You need to age it ( in a walk in cooler )for at least two to three weeks .. Grass fed is also leaner ( as has been stated ) and there is a lack of marbeling which can effect the taste ( for Yanks ) and the tenderness .. Growing good beef ( start to finish ) is an art !

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JMCana says on Feb 16, 2007, 08:05:

Chickens I know Without going into details of why, I know about the difference in chickens and the way they are raised and how they are different and better for you. And have seen the tests run by the USDA and independent firms on the difference, as well as blind taste tests by well known chefs in the USA. And yes, Cali373, I have to agree that for the most part, the chickens in my area here in Colombia are very good, especially those cooked over a hardwood fire. However you can get that taste in the USA. I had the opportunity to write an article about a place that takes organic chicken to the nth degree. If interested, check out www.earthshinefarm.com

But beef, I still wonder about and many people here have been very helpful with their comments.

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cali373 says on Feb 16, 2007, 08:38:

In Cali, has anyone ever been to that steak place in Chipichape. Is it any good?

Smile if you are a thinker!

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arthur brode says on Feb 16, 2007, 08:58:

I have.Its called Leños y Carbon I recommend the Filet Miñon(termino medio) and the Trucha Maninera(Trout w/seafood sauce)

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 16, 2007, 10:45:

Damn I am hungry now. If you are in the Meta, like Villavicencio, treat yourself to carne de llano. 10.000 pesos for a slow, wood fire cooked chunk of beef. Served with potatoes and yucca.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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podborski says on Feb 16, 2007, 13:11:

not sure if this is true but you know all those stories you hear about how great (and expensive) Kobe beef is? They talk about how the cows are given massages, fed beer, etc., etc. What an idyllic life these luxury cows are given and so provide the best and most expensive beef.

Well I heard that this is the usual Japanese bullshit (no pun intended) and the reason they have to massage the cows is because they keep them in stalls so they don't move around which toughens up the meat. The massages are purely a necessity to keep the cows alive during this rather unpleasant life.

Good example of how to spin a story methinks.

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 16, 2007, 16:32:

I used to have chickens. One of the few animals that will eat each other's shit. Took away my whole appetite for chicken.

As for the Yankees eating Zebus, I wouldn't put it past them. They know nothing about cattle and less about everything else.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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poco says on Feb 16, 2007, 19:09:

Yes, I know my chickens However you can get that taste in the USA.

I’m not going to delve into why I KNOW CHICKENS,, but I do know chickens. This is my chicken roaming around my bedroom. I named him BRUCE,, it was a sad day when we ate Bruce.

Bruce when he was ambulatory


Bruce meeting his demise:


Bruce gives a new meaning to the saying “HANGING AROUND”.


I think he was free ranging and ate,, not grass but chicken feed.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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podborski says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:24:

I only had kobe beef once it was tender and pretty tasty, but at about 10 times the price of beef down here it is way over priced I'd say.

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podborski says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:27:

is it true that the average chicken (they have a name for them, like 'cookers' or something) is rammed full of feed and hormones and is ready to be slaughtered in 6 WEEKS?!

That just doesn't sound like a way to make a nice tasty chicken to me...

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:28:

Broilers.
Rubito is right. I Broilers.

Rubito is right. I always want the bone in.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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arthur brode says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:36:

flies? what flies?i dont see any

http://www.calirentals.net/

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arthur brode says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:40:

not even one

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:41:

and since chicken only can eat when they are awake the lights are kept on so that they have to eat constantly and get no sleep...

there was an article in El Pais today about Free Trade agreement and how it is going to affect the Colombian aviculture. This tasty Colombian chicken fed on corn and used in its totality in cooking (the neck, the feet, everything) will soon be just a memory and the Colombian markets will be flooded with cheaper, industrially grown gringo chickens, or better yet, just hormone-filled breast and leg quarters, since that's what the gringos eat. Colombian chicken will not be able to compete on US markets because of the price.

http://www.elpais.com.co/HOY/VIVIR/avico.html

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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arthur brode says on Feb 17, 2007, 10:45:

Buen Provecho

http://www.calirentals.net/

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podborski says on Feb 17, 2007, 11:00:

Desi, there will always be people like me willing to pay a higher price for better food, and there will also be farmers willing and able to supply it, at a price.

The market in NA for high quality, healthy (supposedly), high price food is growing rapidly. Ever hear of Whole Foods? Very successful 'healthy' food supermarket. It is NOT a small operation any more.

Now, whether or not Whole Foods really sells healthy stuff is for the experts to decide, I am a bit sceptical myself of a lot of these 'health food' stores.

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poco says on Feb 17, 2007, 11:28:

Where's the beef ? That just doesn't sound like a way to make a nice tasty chicken to me...

Exactly correct. We DO NOT buy (dead or ABK) chickens from anywhere but a TRUSTED source. You never know if a chicken has been eating GRASS with insectcide or (Ughh) other chickens droppings.

I feel sorry for the,, what ? 6 million folks in Bogota. Can you imagine !!!! One chicken a MONTH = 6 Million chickens. I'd imagine FRANKEN HORMONES are prevailent. I'd bet egg to table is less than 4 weeks. What do these folks do ? Do they keep chickens in their condo or apartment ? Do they have the time and/or knowledge to watch chickens ?

I DOUBT IT.

My live chickens are kept in a special "chicken ranch" container. The container has a mesh bottom to allow the (Ughhh) chicken droppings to fall out of the reach of the chicken.

My chicken guard is allowed free access to the chicken ranch container thus assuring no chicken is subject to harm or, worse yet, allowed to eat anything but organic chicken feed.

Guarding the chicken


Where I live the bird is relatively safe but you never know. Frankly I've become suspicious of a few "foreign looking" folks. Probably paranoia, there aren't any foreigners where I live but you never know when one of these "chicken chokers" will raise an ugly head.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 17, 2007, 12:02:

Pod I kinda hate the idea that it'll be only rich guys like you who will be able to eat tasty, grass/corn fed Colombian chicken, while poor folks like me will have to eat pasty-white, greyish gringo chicken quarters...

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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poco says on Feb 17, 2007, 22:20:

Such a recommendation will be viewed as Jealously recommending people NOT eat US produced chicken!!

Good luck but I think that if a profit can be made by shipping "finished chickens" to Colombia then lines will form to buy the new "STATUS CHICKEN". Put an American flag on the package and riots will ensue. Chicken part melees will become common place for the first few months.

This could be the new "cell phone" addiction in Colombia. Chicken parts will be visible in Colombian womens pants pockets. Who knows, Colombians might start tipping the bag boys.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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podborski says on Feb 18, 2007, 08:58:

desi, I think your logic is faulty (although this is a not a simple topic).

Imports will drive down the cost of crappy chicken, but that does not mean the price of good chickens goes up.

So everyone in colombia today buying decent chickens will be able to continue to do so. Whether they will decide to do that when given a choice of cheap chickens is another story.

longer term effects...hell, I'm sure there are books written about it. Far more complex than I care to get into. It's sunday morning after all, and the sun is out.

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arthur brode says on Feb 18, 2007, 09:13:

cheese and chicken market

http://www.calirentals.net/

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traveler803 says on Feb 18, 2007, 11:55:

Great steaks a Andersons Had a great steak at a little restaurant in La Candalaria...Andersons...Carrere 6...between 10th and 11th. Small but nice place and great food with friendly service. Nice to find in La Candalaria. Also....great selection of wine and great "postre".

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 18, 2007, 12:19:

sure, my logic is not foolproof and is known to have its weaknesses, but what I think is going to happen instead is that the corn/grass- fed tasty Colombian chicken will not survive the onslaught of cheapo pasty gringo chicken breasts because that's how the market works. Most chicken farmers will be driven out of business in Colombia. Food prices for good quality chicken and beef will be out of reach for normal families and can only be enjoyed by elite or retired gringos with a monthly fixed income in dollars.
Adios Sancocho de Gallina! Perhaps we'll afford one at Christmas table.

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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juanalejo says on Feb 18, 2007, 12:32:

Chicken The biggest concern with the chicken market in Colombia are not the breasts themselves, we Colombians tend to like dark meat better than white meat and since USA Americans basically do not like dark meat the USA American chicken farmers can simply dump those on us driving the price down. On the other hand the white meat may find its way into the USA for a better price which could balance out the chicken price as a whole. It is all speculation still, we shall see what can really happen.

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poco says on Feb 19, 2007, 03:07:

These will FLY Maybe not fly literally but fly as in "fly off the shelf"



A group singing "We are the people" at the Exito grand opening would be teriffic. Marketing would provide Red-White-Blue bags for every purchase, OK maybe a little yellow and black Exito.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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JMCana says on Feb 19, 2007, 05:15:

ask the experts I mentioned in an earlier post, but if anyone has questions about Chickens and feed and differences, the people at Earthshine Farm are very knowledgeable. www.earthshinefarm.com

They can explain why organic chicken in the USA is not really organic chicken. And how you can get organic chicken, but it picks up the bad traits of other chicken because of the way it is processed.

But I am still trying to find a very knowledgeable source for cows.

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