Which statement about the four primals is true?

Which statement about the four primals is true?

• A. Loin is typically the most tender.
• B. Shank is usually the largest.
• C. Round is always dry-heat.
• D. Chuck is always the most expensive.

Answer: (B)

Think about how cuts of beef differ in size and use. The four major primal groups commonly taught are chuck, rib, loin, and round, and the shank is a leg subprimal. Because the leg region carries substantial bone and length, the shank often represents a large, heavy piece compared with the other leg components people might compare. That makes the statement about the shank being the largest the best-fitting choice among the options for how size typically plays out in these cuts. Other statements rely on generalizations that aren’t universal: the loin is very tender but not always the absolute most tender in every carcass; the round isn’t restricted to dry-heat cooking in every case; and price varies with market and quality, so it isn’t always the most expensive.

Think about how cuts of beef differ in size and use. The four major primal groups commonly taught are chuck, rib, loin, and round, and the shank is a leg subprimal. Because the leg region carries substantial bone and length, the shank often represents a large, heavy piece compared with the other leg components people might compare. That makes the statement about the shank being the largest the best-fitting choice among the options for how size typically plays out in these cuts. Other statements rely on generalizations that aren’t universal: the loin is very tender but not always the absolute most tender in every carcass; the round isn’t restricted to dry-heat cooking in every case; and price varies with market and quality, so it isn’t always the most expensive.