: Those white flecks of fat within the muscle are what provide juice and flavor. For oven roasts, more marbling generally means a better result.

: In the US, look for USDA Prime for the highest fat content, followed by Choice as a high-quality, widely available alternative.

: A tougher cut from the chest that yields a robust, beefy flavor. It is ideal for slow roasting or smoking but requires patience to reach peak tenderness.