Crucial Things You Should Know About Processed Meat
For some time now, people have had plenty of discussion over which meats can qualify to be called processed. Meat processing, was practiced even before refrigeration got invented. In order to ensure meats stayed fresh for several days or weeks, people invented methods convenient methods of preservation, some of which are still used today. The methods invented include salting and smoking meat. Through salting and smoking, people were able to effectively extend the shelf life of their meats. In most cultures nowadays, the two meat processing methods are still used. People nowadays understand that when meats get processed, they are still able to retain most of their health benefits. Meat processing involves the use of preservatives, which are very safe and fit for human consumption. Processed meats can take the form of whole-meat, cooked, uncooked, grounded, ungrounded or any combinations of these.
A question that people should begin to ask themselves is what exactly processed meat is. Any meat that has been prepared using out of the ordinary, innovative cooking methods can be deemed as processed. Some examples of processed meats that come prepackaged include sausage, hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts. Another name processed meats have been given is convenience foods. The reason for processing meat is to preserve it so that it remains edible and its shelf life gets extended. Meats get different tastes such as sugary, salty or smoky, depending on the salts and flavorings used.
Apart from being salted, smoked or cured, processed meats also get heat treatment. The techniques that processed meats usually go through often take a considerable amount of time. For instance, when sausages are being fermented, they get mixed with non-meat ingredients such as salts, agents and spices, which are used in the casing of the sausage. When processed meat is in its ripening phase, it dries out and develops a unique texture and taste. Meats which go through the ripening phase, get packaged and distributed raw. During the entire process, no heat is used at all.
Lean meats that get dried or dehydrated, whether in natural or artificially created environments can be defined as processed, dried meats. The fatty tissues of meats have fluid in them, and once it gets removed, the chances of the meats spoiling gets reduced. After all the fluid has been extracted from the fatty tissues, the lean parts of the meats get cut up, the pieces placed in uniform shape and they are allowed to dry. In addition to having extended shelf lives, dried meats are also able to retain their nutritional properties. It is considered normal, everyday culture to process meats in places like Europe and South Africa. Processed meats come from the deli and frozen food sections in the US.