DMP stands for Digital Marbling Percentage — the fine strands of fat woven inside the muscle fibers, not around them. You’ve seen it before — it’s that beautiful marbling that makes Wagyu beef so melt-in-your-mouth tender and buttery.
Why It Matters
In most beef, marbling is minimal. But in Fullblood Wagyu, intramuscular fat can make up 40% or more of the meat. That high DMP:
Delivers unmatched flavor and juiciness Gives Wagyu its signature velvety texture Contains more monounsaturated fats (the heart-healthy kind)
Our Labels Are Based on DMP
At 9 Line Farms, we don’t rely on outdated USDA grades like Prime. Instead, we grade our beef by its digital marbling percentage (DMP %): Black Label: 21–29% DMP Gold Label: 30–39% DMP Reserve Label: 40%+ DMP
This system helps you pick what suits your palate — not someone else’s idea of what’s “best.”
One Isn’t Better Than Another
More marbling doesn’t automatically mean better. It just depends on what you like. Some customers prefer the richness of a Reserve cut, while others lean toward a Black Label for a leaner bite with that Wagyu edge.