Which USDA beef quality grade is considered the highest?

• A. Standard
• B. Prime
• C. Choice
• D. Select

Answer: (B)

Beef quality grade is determined largely by marbling and maturity, which predict eating quality like tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Prime has the most marbling and typically comes from younger cattle, so it yields the most tender, juicy, and flavorful eating experience, making it the highest grade. The other grades show progressively less marbling and/or more mature meat, which lowers the expected eating quality: Choice has noticeable marbling but not as much as Prime; Select is leaner with little marbling; Standard has the least marbling and is the least tender of the common grades. Also, remember that grading reflects eating quality, not safety or nutritional value.