Veal is the flesh of a young calf, generally four to five months old. Because of its young, delicately tender flesh, it is considered by some to be the finest meat available. Classical preparations include, but are not limited to, osso buco, vitello tonnato, cordon bleu, veal piccata, and veal scaloppine. Fine veal calves are fed mother’s milk or formula. Milk-fed veal is up to twelve weeks old and is believed to have the most tender meat. Formula-fed calves consume a special diet and are the standard type of veal used today; this veal is up to four months old.
Veal should be selected by color; it should be light pink in color and tender. The five USDA grades of veal, in order of highest to lowest quality, are Prime, Choice, Good, Standard, and Utility. Because the overall ratio of meat to bone is less than a full-grown bovine, there are proportionately fewer cuts of veal.