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Salt inhibits the growth of microorganisms by drawing water out of microbial cells through osmosis. Concentrations of salt up to 20% are required to kill most species of unwanted bacteria. Smoking, often used in the process of curing meat, adds chemicals to the surface of meat that reduce the concentration of salt required.
Salt (sodium chloride) is the primary ingredient used in meat curing. [10] Removal of water and addition of salt to meat creates a solute-rich environment where osmotic pressure draws water out of microorganisms, slowing down their growth. [10] [11] Doing this requires a concentration of salt of nearly 20%. [11]
Large quantities of salt were used in the curing process and smoking times were quite long, sometimes involving days of exposure. [7] The advent of modern transportation made it easier to transport food products over long distances and the need for the time and material intensive heavy salting and smoking declined.
Sausage is a food usually made from ground meat with a skin around it. Typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made from intestine, but sometimes synthetic. Sausage making is a traditional food preservation technique. Sausages may be preserved by curing, drying, or smoking. Many types and varieties of sausages are smoked to ...
Processed meat is considered to be any meat that has been modified in order to either improve its taste or to extend its shelf life. Methods of meat processing include salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, and/or the addition of chemical preservatives. [1] Processed meat is usually composed of pork or beef or, less frequently, poultry.
Smoking helps seal the outer layer of the food being cured, making it more difficult for bacteria to enter. It can be done in combination with other curing methods such as salting. Common smoking styles include hot smoking, smoke roasting and cold smoking. Smoke roasting and hot smoking cook the fish while cold smoking does not.
Generally meat is smoked using hardwood or wood pellets made from hardwood; softwood is not recommended due to increased PAH from the resin. [7] [8] Wood smoke adds flavor, aroma, and helps with preservation. [4] There are two types of smoking: cold smoking generally occurs below 90 °F (32 °C) and has more preservative value.
Food preservation occurred by salt curing and extended cold smoking for two weeks or longer. [1] Smokehouses were always secured to prevent animals and thieves from accessing the food. [1] The meat is hung to keep it from the reach of vermin. [2] Prior to the widespread availability of mains electricity and freezers, meat was preserved by heavy ...