TheHanwoo (Korean: 한우), alsoHanu orKorean Native, is a breed of smallcattle native toKorea. It was formerly used as aworking animal, but is now raised mainly formeat.[2] It is one of four indigenous Korean breeds, the others being theChikso [ko], theHeugu [ko] and theJeju Black.[3]
The Hanwoo was traditionally aworking animal breed. Until the expansion of the South Korean economy in the 1960s, it was little used for beef production.[2] Aherd book was established in 1968.[1] Hanwoo beef has since become a premium product.
The Hanwoo was listed by theFAO as "not at risk" in 2007.[4]: 93 In 2003, the total population was reported to be about1 240 000; in 2014, it was reported as2 670 000.[1]
In 2001, the Hanwoo was suggested to be a hybrid betweentaurine andindicine cattle.[5] Amitochondrial DNA study in 2010 found it to be closely related to two taurine breeds, theHolstein and theJapanese Black, and distinctly different from the indicineNelore andZwergzebu [de].[6] In 2014,single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis found Korean cattle to form a distinct group with theYanbian breed of China, separate from European taurine breeds and distant from the indicine group.[7]
The Hanwoo is a small breed. The coat is brown; both sexes are horned. Cows have good maternal qualities, but milk production is low, with little more than400 L produced in 170 days.[1] The cattle are fedrice straw as their principal source ofroughage.[1] A rare white variant of the Hanwoo has been bred since 2009; in 2014 there were 14 head. It is reported toDAD-IS as a separate breed.[8]
Despite its high price, Hanwoo beef is preferred inKorean cuisine, as it is typically fresher and of better quality than cheaper imported substitutes. One 2001 journal article wrote "Hanwoo is regarded as a premium beef because of its high palatability and desired chewiness".[9] Since Koreans consider Hanwoo beef a cultural icon, it is used in traditional foods, popular holiday dishes, or as a special-day gift.[5]Hoengseong County is best known for its Hanwoo cattle, where the environment is well-suited for cattle farming. The county began a marketing campaign to brand itself as the origin of the highest quality beef in Korea, selling meat as a "premium product".[10][11]
^Breeds reported by Korea, Republic of. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2017.
^abSun Jin Hur; Gu Boo Park; Seon Tea Joo (June 2008). "A Comparison of the Meat Qualities from the Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle) and Holstein Steer".Food and Bioprocess Technology.1 (2):196–200.doi:10.1007/s11947-008-0061-2.S2CID95534385.
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