Journal of Animal Science, Vol 78, Issue 10 2608-2614, Copyright © 2000 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Quantification of pork belly and boston butt quality attribute preferences of South Korean customers

M. L. Vonada, B. S. Bidner, K. E. Belk, F. K. McKeith, W. R. Lloyd, M. E. O'Connor and G. C. Smith
Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1171, USA.

U.S. packers must have quantitative criteria for selection of pork bellies and Boston butts for export to South Korea. Pork bellies (IMPS 409A) and Boston butts (IMPS 409A, 406B, 407) were selected from normal production in a U.S. pork packing plant and transported to Seoul, South Korea, via seafreighter in refrigerated containers (frozen < -5 degrees C) or via air freight (fresh > 0 degrees C; frozen < -5 degrees C). Participants at the Seoul Food Show were surveyed about their preferences for specific quality attributes of these cuts. Bellies were selected to differ in seam fat content (low = < 20%, moderate = 20 to 40%, high = > 40% extractable fat), lean color (pale = L* > 50, medium = L* 48-50, dark = L* < 48), weight (3.36, 4.04, or 5.36 kg), state of refrigeration and packaging (frozen, poly-wrapped; chilled, poly-wrapped; frozen, vacuum-packaged; chilled, vacuum-packaged), shape (round, wavy, square), and belly thickness (3.81, 4.32, or 4.90 cm). Boston butts were selected to differ in USDA marbling score (Slight, Small, Modest, Moderate, and Slightly Abundant), seam fat content (low = < 10%, moderate = 10 to 20% fat, high = > 20% extractable fat), lean color (pale = L* > 44, medium = L* 40-42, dark = L* < 38), weight (2.91, 3.82, or 4.66 kg), state of refrigeration and packaging (frozen, poly-wrapped; chilled, poly-wrapped; frozen, vacuum-packaged; chilled, vacuum-packaged), and shape (square, oblong, round). In Seoul, pork subprimals were tempered (if frozen), sliced, and arrayed by quality attribute and category in a retail display case. Over 4 d of testing, attendees (n = 210) of the food show were asked to rate the displayed samples for each quality attribute on a standardized ballot. Mid-weight (3.82 kg) Boston butts that displayed Moderate or higher USDA marbling scores with moderate amounts of seam fat, Japanese lean color scores of 2 or 4, round geometric shape, and that were vacuum-packaged and transported to Korea in the freshly chilled state best characterized the quality attribute preferences of respondents. Pork bellies that exhibited moderate amounts of seam fat, Japanese lean color scores of 3, square shape, belly thickness of 3.94 cm, approximate weight of 4.04 kg, and that were vacuum-packaged and transported to Korea in the freshly chilled state best met the quality needs of South Korean customers.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. F. Lampe, T. J. Baas, and J. W. Mabry Comparison of grain sources for swine diets and their effect on meat and fat quality traits J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(4): 1022 - 1029. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Newcom, K. J. Stalder, T. J. Baas, R. N. Goodwin, F. C. Parrish, and B. R. Wiegand Breed differences and genetic parameters of myoglobin concentration in porcine longissimus muscle J Anim Sci, August 1, 2004; 82(8): 2264 - 2268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]