In the present study, 309 consumers were interviewed about overall acceptability of beef from seven Spanish local breeds and about the quality of beef usually found in the market. A total of 77 bulls were studied; twelve animals from each Asturiana, Avileña, Retinta, Rubia Gallega and Pirenaica breed, eleven from Parda Alpina breed and six from Morucha breed. All of them were reared in identical conditions of management and slaughtered with 480‑500 kg live weight.
The results obtained in the present study show the consumer ability to distinguish beef quality of different local breeds from the same commercial category. Consumers evaluated significantly better meat from dehesa breed and Asturiana breed. Differences between male and female responses were not significant, although females were more discriminant in the meat acceptability than males. Consumers less than 25 year old did not distinguish meat from different locals breed, while consumers between 35 and 45 years old were the most discriminant