Cured meats actually come in many different formats and types, it can be hard to categorize some types of cured meats because of this. This article covers some of the nuances and confusion, that are commonly asked around this website, which is focused on cured meats. From my teaching, experiences, and practice across all aspects of the art and craft …
Full Detailed Review of INKBIRD ITC-308 Temperature Controller
For the important aspects of temperature control, I’ve been ‘reviewing’ the INKBIRD ITC-308 for many years now and using it to get a target temperature range. I’ve used this for charcuterie, dry cured meats and many other temperature controlled environment projects at home which I’ll talk about. For about 20 years I’ve had many hobbies (food and alcohol based) that …
Frequently Asked Questions About Meat Curing
There are a lot of questions that are frequently asked about meat curing that I have to answer from this site. So I thought I would put all of these common FAQs in one article. I love to cure meat and have been doing so for many many years, I’ve been to places in Italy or America specifically just to …
How to Store Cured Meat: Tips and Tricks
The way you store cured meats does depend a lot on what style of cured meats you have. I’ve got a true passion for cured meats of all kinds, and that’s why I started this website. I buy and make my own types of cured meats of every style you can imagine across the globe. I thought it would be …
Can you Make Sausage Without Nitrites
You can very definitely make sausages without nitrites or nitrates, the decision is always yours, especially if you are making them at home. The reason why I decided to write this article was, because I have been reading, studying and making all the different types of sausages you come across in the world over the last 25 years. I thought …
List of Spices Good for Sausage (Quantity Guide also)
When it comes to the spices, herbs and aromatics you can use in a sausage, it’s pretty endless. The combination and synergy definitely can produce more then the ingredients separately. However, not all things work together in terms of spices and herbs! Over the 20 odd years I’ve been making and studying sausages. I’ve had friends and acquaintances that have …
Different Types of Cured Sausage
A cured sausage can have many types and variations, most people I come across don’t really even know what a cured sausage is! Defining a cured sausage, specifically needs to be done to categorize it, there is wide interpretation I’ve foundboth online and offline. I’ve been curing and making sausage, even uncured sausages for more than a few decades. I’ve …
What is a Cured Sausage? Explaining Different Kinds
Not all sausages are cured, I want to go over what is a cured sausage. Believe it or not, after 20 years of making, eating, and looking up cured sausages around the world. I still am amazed with the variations of cured sausages. Often, it’s due to the misunderstanding of what curing is. Yet, the meaning of ‘uncured’ differs in …
How to Ferment Salami and What it Does
Specifically talking about the fermentation stage, which is decreasing the pH level in the salami, which produces a more acidic environment. Hey there, fellows cured meat enthusiasts! I want to talk about one of the crucial aspects of salami fermentation that gives it that irresistible tang and distinct flavor. Yes, I’m referring to the creation of an acidic environment during …
Cured Meat vs Uncured Meat – Differences
Recently, I delved deeper into the realm of cured and uncured meats, and to my surprise, I discovered that the distinction between the two isn’t solely about the curing process itself. Rather, it lies in the packaging legislative aspects that govern the use of certain additives. Let’s explore this intriguing aspect further. What is the difference between uncured and cured …
Does Grinding or Mincing Meat at Home Save Money?
Having the right tool to mince and grind your meat could potentially save some money. I wanted to share how I do it and what I’ve learned over the years. When I got my first grinder, it was about portioning bulk meat (farmed and wild), whilst also making small goods like sausages. After a few decades, I’ve found through experiences …
Interesting & Unique Salami to Buy in America I’ve Found
I have seen and tried many salami styles from Italy and Spain, reproduced in America and worldwide – common variations such as Picante, Feline, Pepperoni, Genoa, and Italian styles of dry-cured meats. Undoubtedly, they are good, and some are great; however, they are still mimicking mainland Europe. For thousands of years, they have been loved across Europe -often using traditions …
How is Cured Meat Made?
Cured meat can be made in many different ways, this article will go into quite a bit of detail about how cured meat is made, the different ways also the types of cured meats get produced. I’ve produced every type and style of cured meats possible using salt, smoke, and acidity either in combination or individually. You’ll likely be surprised …
Why are Sausages so Good?
Many people find sausages very delicious and great to eat, for many years I’ve made, bought, and studied sausages through my passion for meat creations. I wanted to give some insight maybe into why this occurs, for someone who doesn’t know how all the variations are made. Of course, I eat sausages, including the wide variations that can be obtained …
Equipment I Use for Making Sausages at Home
The various equipment you can use to make sausages can be incredibly simple or mechanized so that you can easily process many pounds or kilograms of meat depending on what you are trying to achieve. I’ll try and guide you through the many different setups I’ve used over the years. I’ve been making sausages for a few decades at home …
Are Sausages Made of Pork? What Variations Are Available
Sausages can be made of many different meats including pork and are available all over the world, I have made various types myself and I’ve eaten them, too. These varieties of sausages across the world – made of other meat and spices – have changed the image and many aspects of the humble sausage. One may think sausages are always …
What Alcohol Goes with Charcuterie Meat? (Beer, Wine, Spirits)
Many different combinations of alcohol can work with charcuterie and dry-cured meats. I’ve tried alot of combinations and wanted to share some insights I’ve had to match the dry-cured or charcuterie meat. Since charcuterie, salumi, antipasti, or dry cured meats has thousands of variations and types, I’ve grouped the charcuterie together to be a little more helpful. You’ll find a …
Thoughts and Insight into Whole Pig Butchery – Smoking & Curing
Curing and smoking whole pig butchery is all about the fat and how you utilize it – to use it for adding value to all the muscle cuts that are on offer gives you many more options. There are a few ways to do it. What I will talk about is not easily done, it will take time and a …
Difference Between Sausages and Salami (Not That Simple)
The difference between sausages and salami comes down to how extended the process is, in essence, all salami were sausages at some point during the process. To really explain this properly, I am going to define what sausages are, as well as salami. To give some insight into the subtle and not-so-subtle variations. I have been making, crafting, and eating …
ph Meter for Making Salami and Cured Meats at Home
For many years I’ve been making salami without testing the ph or acidity during the initial fermentation stage. ph Meter and acidity are very important aspects of dry cured salami. Eventually, over the last few years, I’ve decided to be more consistent and thorough in this regard. Though, I’ve used starter cultures, either fast or slow action – I’ve been …