Stupid Question about bacon....

Post Reply
65valiantwin
Beginner
Beginner
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2018 20:54
Location: Ontario

Stupid Question about bacon....

Post by 65valiantwin » Sun Feb 11, 2018 23:08

Hi guys/girls,

Relatively new to all of this, but i'm looking at trying to make some bacon with a basic salt/sugar/water brine then cold smoke. I"m trying to replicate store bought bacon...

My question is (and i'm sure it's stupid), is Cure #1 needed if i'm just smoking it for a few hours for flavour, then freezing and cooking when needed?

Thanks again
User avatar
Bob K
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2232
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2013 15:16
Location: Northwest Ct

Post by Bob K » Mon Feb 12, 2018 13:13

Cure adds more than just the prevention of botulism poisoning during smoking. It also improves flavor, helps prevent food poisoning, tenderizes the meat, and develops the pink color.

You want bacon you need cure!!

In the U.S. manufacturers are also required to use a cure accelerator (Sodium ascorbate or erythorbate) when making bacon to reduce the amount of residual nitrite.
65valiantwin
Beginner
Beginner
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2018 20:54
Location: Ontario

Post by 65valiantwin » Mon Feb 12, 2018 15:22

Thanks Bob, your knowledge is invaluable for a newcomer like myself>
Kijek
Passionate
Passionate
Posts: 430
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 16:05
Location: Stamford, Connecticut

Post by Kijek » Sat Feb 17, 2018 06:02

I just finished a bacon that was my first one in a very long time.
So, with that being said, I do believe and someone correct me if I'm wrong.
But you can't reproduce that stuff from the supermarket.
What we do here is create the best old time flavors not duplicate todays crap.
Hang in there, I believe that what your really after.
Post Reply