FAQ's
Is it Bison or Buffalo?
Scientifically, the true name for the North American Buffalo is "Bison" - but because our history has so ingrained in us the name Buffalo, we still use it today. True Buffalos are the Cape Buffalo and Water Buffalo of Africa and Asia. Bison and Buffalo both belong to the Family Bovidae, as do domestic cattle. There are two subspecies of the North American Bison: the plains bison and the wood bison.
Where Can I Purchase Bison Meat?
More and more grocery stores are beginning to carry bison meat as its popularity increases. Bison is becoming a regular menu item in many restaurants. Also, farmer markets are becoming a very popular vendor in many regions across Canada. Click on the link Where To Buy to find your local vendor.
How Do I Cook Bison Meat?
Due to its low fat content, bison meat cooks very quickly. It is extremely important to cook bison meat slowly at a lower temperature and serve it less well done than beef. Bison meat tastes best served at medium rare 145°F (62°C) or rare 135°F (57°C). For best results, always use a meat thermometer.
What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Bison Meat?
Bison meat is a nutritionally superior red meat. It is natural without growth hormones, steroids, drugs or chemical residue. Bison meat is extremely low in fat with 1/3 less fat than beef. A single serving of bison provides much of your daily protein, iron and zinc requirements, plus most of the antioxidant selenium your body needs each day. Besides all the above making bison the perfect red meat, it is extremely delicious and tasty.
Bison are raised and processed without additives, preservation, steroids, growth hormones or drug residues. Bison spend the majority of their life grazing on forage and some producers finish their bison on grass while others finish on grains.
What Does Bison Meat Taste Like?
Bison meat tastes similar to fine beef with a slightly sweeter and richer flavor. Bison is not a wild animal hence it does not taste wild.
Are Bison an Extinct or an Endangered Species?
No to both questions. At the turn of the century, there were as few as 800 to 1000 bison in North America. Public organizations and private ranchers then began to nurture the herds back. Bison are not extinct; they number over 500,000 today and are on a steady increase due to the popularity of bison products, and the benefits of raising bison for the environment and ranchers across North America.