Cupim is a special Brazilian cut from the Zebu cattle. Special? Absolutely, because cupim can’t be cut from just any cow. The Zebu (or Brahman) breed has a hump on top of the shoulder, which is called cupim. It’s an incredibly tender and beautifully marbled cut, typically found only in Brazilian cuisine. A must-try for sure!

Bert-Jan Lantinga

Cupim is a special Brazilian cut of Zebu beef. Special? Certainly, because cupim cannot be cut from every beef. The zebu (or Brahma) cattle have a hump on top of the withers, which is also called cupim. A very soft and beautifully marbled cut, which can actually only be found in Brazilian cuisine. Highly recommended and definitely worth a try!

The Cupim is a piece of meat that will not be on the counter at the butcher around the corner. How ideal is ordering meat online? We cut the cupim from zebu beef to size immediately after arrival and then quick-frozen it, so that it arrives to you super fresh and without loss of quality.

The Zebu

Zebu cattle were created by crossbreeding various (lesser known) Indian breeds and are highly sought after in various countries in South America due to their thick skin. The thick skin ensures that the cattle can withstand the heat (super useful in those hot countries!) and are not bothered by insects. The most remarkable thing about the breed is that they have a large noticeable hump on their back (above the withers). It is not entirely clear what exactly the bump is for. But you don't have to tell them in Brazil that it is a culinary tour de force.