Feng Shui For Health Problems? Feng Shui has a great impact on people and their surroundings. It is about the guidelines that one should follow to feel
To unclog your lymph glands naturally, most might decide to visit the doctor. In this article, we discuss some ways to unclog lymph glands.
If you are looking for eczema treatments, try this homemade remedy for eczema. This salve was my cure for eczema. I used this to help my skin heal and finally got rid of it for good. Your results may vary, but this helped me! #eczema #diy #salve #diysalve #naturalremedy #essentialoils
My family has been using Swedish Bitters as a "cure all" for years! I'm still always surprised when people tell me they've never heard of it.
Kirsty, my robot physio, assessed me and walked me through personalised back pain exercises. She could be the answer to NHS waiting lists
Nothing is worse than chronic eczema that just won't go away, especially if your child suffers from it, too. My son and I have tried every remedy under the sun, and this one is definitely the best!
Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic, immune-mediated condition where your esophagus develops inflammation. Let's cover EoE basics!
Essene diet is not like any other diet. Its main objective goes beyond losing weight or counting the calories required in our day to day.
Infant acid reflux solutions are not the first thing we think about when we are expecting a new baby, I know. We all pray for a healthy baby when we're pregnant though, right? We all hope that our baby comes out with ten fingers and toes, Michael Phelps's lungs, and the heart of Mother Theresa.
Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic, immune-mediated condition where your esophagus develops inflammation. Let's cover EoE basics!
Electricity will cure all the ills of the world, predicts Thomas Edison, whose inventive genius is responsible for the widespread application of electricity.
Learn the signs, symptoms, and common causes of gastritis plus prevention tips and tricks, along with the best home remedies for gastritis!
When made correctly, this cured Italian meat can be a real game changer in the kitchen. What is Capicola? Why is it so special?
Sleep deprivation is dangerous so here’s how to fall asleep fast when you struggle with insomnia or can’t sleep.
Suffering with Rosacea? In a constant battle with you skincare routine and unsure how to tackle Rosacea?Check this pharmacist guide on the best rosacea treatment
Some people experience dizziness when walking or standing suddenly, and there is also a problem in maintaining physical balance. In such a situation, it seems
Here's my guide to visiting the complex of Siena Cathedral. The cathedral is a true haven for art lovers. It's positively stuffed with Italian masterpieces. Siena Cathedral is one of Europe's most beautiful churches, especially for lovers of all things Gothic. I tell you everything to see inside the cathedral, including works of art by the greatest masters of the Renaissance.
A few months ago, I wrote a post all about something that I never envisaged happening to me: developing fibromyalgia. It was long and tortured, much like my ordeal.
These Crispy Baked Zucchini fries will cure your french fry craving, and you won't miss the potatoes at all. Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese make these zucchini fries super flavorful and so crispy that you won't believe they are baked!
Explore the best of Madrid in just 2 days with our comprehensive itinerary! From iconic landmarks like Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace to hidden gems in lively neighborhoods, discover the perfect plan for a memorable short stay in Spain's vibrant capital city. Get insider tips on where to eat, what to see, and how to make the most of your limited time in Madrid.
French Parenting is a topic of interest no matter where you live, especially if these French food rules can cure picky eaters!
WHAT THE HECK IS GABA??? Let me start at the beginning! It all started about 3 years ago when I saw a friend of mine online recommending a book called the Mood Cure. She talked about what an intere…
Discover everything you need to know about visiting Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin with this comprehensive guide. Learn about the prison's rich history, including its role in Ireland's fight for independence. Explore all the key sights, from the cells to the execution yard, and uncover stories of the famous inmates. Plus, get essential tips for your visit, like the best time to go, how to book tickets, and what to expect on the tour.
Check out the list of pictures below. They look pretty innocent...right? Well, take a closer look and you'll discover that everything is not quite as it seems...
Curing salt is an ingredient added to jerky for the functional benefits of increased shelf life, flavor enhancement, and color retention. Curing salt is not required to make jerky, but it is an important tool. The key ingredients in curing salt inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria, specifically Clostridium botulinum, that can cause potentially lethal foodborne illnesses. Think of curing salt as an insurance plan. It’s not mandatory, but it’s a great idea to create a safe, wholesome, and appetizing jerky in case things don’t go exactly as planned. Make sure to check the usage instructions on your specific cure, but as a general rule of thumb, standard usage is 1 teaspoon of cure for 5 pounds of meat. The primary ingredient of curing salt, sodium nitrate, is surprisingly controversial. Splashy headlines made from recent studies indicate potential health risks associated with the heavy consumption of nitrates. As of right now, however, there’s nothing that conclusively shows that curing salts are unsafe. This article will explore all things curing salt and beef jerky—including an in-depth presentation of all sides of the debate around nitrates. Looking to spice up your jerky making game? Check out our beef jerky seasoning blends (Coming Soon! Sign-Up For Early Access). Each blend comes with a pre-measured packet of jerky cure. After reading this article, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to know to make your own decision on this food ingredient and making homemade beef jerky. What is Jerky Cure What Does Curing Salt Do to Jerky Are Curing Salts Safe Jerky Cure Alternatives Difference Between Cure #1 and Cure #2 How to Store Curing Salt Where to Buy Curing Salt Curing Salt FAQs What is Jerky Cure? Jerky cure is an ingredient added to beef jerky that is a blend of salt (sodium chloride), sodium nitrite, and a food coloring. What Does Curing Salt Do to Jerky? Curing salt has three primary functions when it comes to beef jerky. 1. Jerky Cure Enhances Flavor Think of a jerky cure as a super-charged salt. It enhances the natural flavor of the marinade and beef. Warning: Jerky cure is toxic at high levels. It’s imperative that usage instructions are closely followed. As an example, the jerky cures in this guide recommend a teaspoon for five pounds of meat. To prevent potential confusion, red food coloring is added to curing salt to give it an identifiable pink color. Jerky cure adds a cooked-ham flavor to jerky when used as a primary flavoring agent. When used sparingly and in combination with robust seasonings, the jerky cure fades to the background and is barely perceptible. 2. Jerky Cure Aids in Color Retention Curing salt acts as an antioxidant. It preserves the pink color of meat and prevents premature graying. As dried meat is exposed to oxygen, it begins to lose its color. Jerky treated with cure will retain a look of vibrancy and freshness. 3. Jerky Cure Wards Off Bacteria Curing salts inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria. For an amateur jerky maker, this is an important tool to create a safe jerky, free from any problems. Are Curing Salts for Jerky Safe? As of right now, there’s nothing that conclusively shows that curing salts are unsafe. Numerous scientific and academic studies have evaluated sodium nitrite and the conclusions have been the same—when used at the appropriate levels, sodium nitrite is a safe and effective ingredient to prevent the growth of bacteria. The National Toxicology Program, an agency within the USDA, completed a multi-year study that found that sodium nitrite is safe at recommended uses. Nevertheless, curing salts, and specifically, sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, have become hotly contested ingredients. A 2015 study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggests that processed meats can cause cancer in humans. The study classified processed meats as those that have been cured with sodium nitrate. The research, however, failed to isolate the impact of nitrates, and any single aspect of meat consumption, on overall health. A surprising fact about nitrates is that they are primarily found in fruits and vegetables. An interesting study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that “approximately 80% of dietary nitrates are derived from vegetable consumption; sources of nitrites include vegetables, fruit, and processed meats.” Here is a great article from the BBC on the topic. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to consider the risks and benefits of curing salts. For those that prefer to avoid curing salts, there are natural alternatives. Jerky Cure Alternatives For those looking for the benefits of jerky cure, but in a more natural form, there are vegetable-based ingredients available to the homemade jerky maker. Celery juice and celery juice powder contain natural nitrates which deliver the color, flavor, and functional benefits of cure. When the sodium nitrate in celery is exposed to certain types of bacteria, the nitrate is converted to sodium nitrite, which achieves characteristics similar to jerky cure. Natural jerky cures, however, can be harder to work with because of difficult to measure nitrate counts. Additionally, natural curing agents, such as celery juice powder, are significantly more expensive than traditional jerky cures. Care should be taken when working with natural jerky cure. Just because it is natural, doesn’t mean it can’t be toxic when used improperly. Difference between Cure #1 vs Cure #2 Curing salt can be confusing because it goes by many names–instacure, pink salt, and Prague powder to name a few. All of these products are interchangeable. What’s important is the type of cure. There are two designations that are important to understand — #1 and #2. Cure #1 contains salt and sodium nitrite. Cure #2 contains salt, sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate. Curing Salt #1 (with sodium nitrite) is intended for any product where the processing time is less than 30 days such as jerky, sausage, and corned beef. Curing Salt #2 (with sodium nitrate) is used for any product where the processing time is more than 30 days such as salami and prosciutto. Cure Common Names Ingredients When To Use Example Products Cure #1 Instacure #1, Prague Powder #1 Sodium Chloride (Salt), Sodium Nitrite (6.25%) Total processing time is less than 30 days. Jerky, sausage, bacon, pastrami, corned beef, ham, hot dog Cure #2 Instacure #2, Prague Powder #2 Sodium Chloride (Salt), Sodium Nitrite (6.25%), Sodium Nitrate (1.00%) Total processing time is more than 30 days. Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni How to Store Curing Salt Keep curing salt in a cool, dry location away from any direct light. To maximize the shelf life of curing salt, keep it away from any moisture. When stored properly, curing salt will last indefinitely. It’s important to clearly label all curing salts to prevent confusion and misuse. Where to Buy Curing Salt for Jerky Curing salt can be purchased from most online retailers that sell spices, herbs, and seasonings, as well as outdoor, hunting, or sporting goods stores, and meat processing websites. It’s also available on Amazon. Each of our beef jerky seasoning blends (Coming Soon! Sign-Up For Early Access) for sale contain pre-weighed curing salt packets that can be easily used for specific amounts of meat. For those looking for bulk curing salt, here are our top three picks for the best curing salt options to buy for making jerky. As long as you purchase curing salt from a reputable producer, the quality should all be the same. A pound of cure will last for several hundred pounds of meat based on the general usage of 1 teaspoon of cure per 5 pounds of meat. 1. The Sausage Maker Insta Cure #1 The Sausage Maker is an online retailer that sells ingredients, equipment, and tools that make large volume home processing and preservation easy. They are a great resource for hunters, gatherers, anglers, farmers, and anyone that works with game, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Size: 1 LB Usage: 1 teaspoon for 5 LBS meat Price Per Pound: $8.25 Buy: The Sausage Maker Insta Cure #1 2. Hoosier Hill Farm Prague Powder Curing Salt #1 Hoosier Hill Farm offers a variety of baking and meat processing ingredients, as well as nuts, fruits, and snacks. Size: 1 LB Usage: 1 teaspoon for 5 LBS meat Price Per Pound: $10.99 Buy: Hoosier Hill Farm Prague Powder Curing Salt #1 Curing Salt for Jerky FAQ Can beef jerky be made without curing salt? Yes, beef jerky can be made without curing salt. As long as beef jerky has been properly cooked and dried, it does not require the use of a jerky cure. It is a good idea to include a jerky cure, however, as it serves as an insurance plan. It inhibits the growth of unwanted bacteria in case the jerky hasn’t been perfectly cooked or stored. What is a substitute for curing salt? Celery juice powder and celery powder are natural substitutes for curing salt. Is curing salt the same as Himalayan salt? Curing salts are different from Himalayan pink salt, which is a table salt with trace elements of minerals that give it a distinctive pink color. Is curing salt the same as regular salt? Curing salt is different from regular salt. Curing salt contains sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate which regular salt does not. Can I make my own curing salt? If you have access to sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, you can make your own curing salt. These ingredients can be hazardous when not properly handled or mixed, so we recommend purchasing curing salt from a legitimate supplier. What ingredients are in curing salt? Curing salt contains a combination of salt, sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate. Bottom Line Curing salt has gotten a bad rap over the years, but it plays an important role in the processing and preservation of food. Curing salt is not required to make jerky, but it is an important tool to inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria. Plus, it has other benefits including color retention and flavor enhancement. Ultimately, the decision to make homemade jerky with jerky cure is up to you. Just make sure to use the exact measurements to ensure proper usage and application. Our custom blends of jerky seasoning come with pre-weighed jerky cure packets that can be included or avoided. Shop Beef Jerky Seasonings (Coming Soon! Sign-Up For Early Access).