Are you a meat enthusiast looking to try new meat cuts on your grill? Or do you just love discovering new flavors in the kitchen? Well, there’s a cut of beef that you might want to add to your must-try list: Picanha. Though not very well-known outside of Latin America, it is one of the tastiest beef cuts you can sink your teeth into. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to Picanha, it’s history, and what makes it so special.
Picanha is a cut of beef that originated in Brazil and later became popular in Portugal. If you’re in Brazil, you won’t have a hard time finding it since it’s a staple at most churrascarias or Brazilian steakhouse restaurants. The rest of the world had yet to experience the taste of Picanha until recent years. Thanks to its growing reputation, this meat has become a cult favorite for beef lovers in different parts of the world.
Picanha comes from the top sirloin cap or rump cap of the cow. It is composed of a subcutaneous fatty layer on top of the biceps femoris muscle. When cooked, the fat layer melts into the meat, giving it an incredibly juicy texture and a unique flavor. And because of the cut’s interesting marbling, the meat is also incredibly tender, a characteristic that makes it a top choice for grilling and barbecues.
As with most prized cuts of beef, Picanha can be expensive and hard to find. But those who have tried it know that it’s worth the search. For those who want to replicate the flavor of Picanha at home, the closest alternative would be the top sirloin cap, which is widely available in most butcher shops, especially in the US.
There are a few different ways to cook Picanha, but the most traditional method is to grill it on skewers seasoned with coarse sea salt. A common practice in Brazil is to cook the meat on charcoal grills, allowing the meat to get a slightly smoky flavor while the fat melts and clings to the meat. You can also try sous vide cooking or roasting it in the oven. However, no matter how you choose to cook it, the result will always be a delicious and juicy cut of meat.
Picanha is slowly but surely finding its way onto the plates of meat lovers worldwide. And for a good reason, it’s a flavorful and juicy cut that’s worth seeking out. The next time you’re looking to add a little variety to your barbecue or dinner menu, consider giving this beef cut a try. Whether you’re grilling for yourself or serving a big group, Picanha is an excellent choice that is sure to impress.
