Fat pretending it's flavor, marbling is the reason steak costs like a mortgage payment.
means The fine, web-like flecks of intramuscular fat distributed through a cut of meat, prized because they melt during cooking and make the flesh richer, juicier, and more tender.
from From 'marble,' the stone, via the word 'marbled' — a thing veined with streaks of contrasting color, just as polished marble is laced with mineral lines. 'Marble' itself comes through Old French 'marbre' from Latin 'marmor,' borrowed in turn from Greek 'marmaros,' a shining stone, likely tied to 'marmairein,' to gleam. The '-ing' turns the look into a process: meat, paper, and even cake batter all get described as 'marbled' when streaks run through them, and the act of producing that streaked effect became 'marbling.'
siena palio — italian horse race through city streets since 1659, riders sometimes thrown from horses at 90km/h
wagyu beef marbling — japanese cattle bred for fat intramuscular distribution, a5 grade sells for $200+ per pound
ebru art — turkish water marbling technique dating to 15th century, paint floated on water then transferred to paper