I thought all bacon is cured, so what gives?
This has always confused me because Ive been told that all bacon is cured.
He confirmed thatallbacon is cured, and helped me understand why some are labeled as uncured.
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Here’s what I learned.
What Is Curing?
The salt in the brine prevents the growth of certain kinds of bacteria that cause meat to spoil.
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Curing also imparts flavor to the meat.
In addition to salt, often sugar, herbs, or spices are added to the brine for flavor.
Some bacon is still made using adry brinea dry salt and seasoning mixturebut wet brines are more common.
What Is Cured Bacon?
Thats a large part of the reason butchers prefer cured bacon.
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What Is Uncured Bacon?
There isnt such a thing as uncured when it comes to bacon.
Its misleading, says Moskowitz.
Most things that are labeled as uncured have had celery salt added to it.
Celery salt, which contains naturally occurring nitrites, cures the bacon.
Bacon labeled as uncured was cured without artificial nitrites like pink salt.
TheUSDA rulesrequire uncured bacon to be labeled as no nitrites or nitrates added.
Celery salt and sea salt are two natural nitrates often used to cure meat.
