4 Forgotten Meat-Preservation Methods Of The 1800s

[livingston]

4 Forgotten Meat-Preservation Methods Of The 1800s

The struggle to keep and store enough food is not a new problem, and as far back as 12,000 B.C., there is evidence of food preservation. The greatest tools to the ancients would have been sun and wind. Of course, we also can look to the Native Americans to learn how food was preserved. They smoked and salted meat to make it last longer.

Or we can look to the classically trained chefs of the 1800s. Their stories may not be as exciting or as fraught with peril as the American pioneers, but under certain kings they could be one bad meal away from the gallows!

1. Fat cap

Fat has an astounding ability to preserve. This is especially true when it rises to the top and seals in food. When fat cools and seals food in, it also keeps oxygen out. Without that precious oxygen, it takes much longer for the food to spoil. That is because bacteria need oxygen to proliferate.

4 Forgotten Meat-Preservation Methods Of The 1800s | Off The Grid News

 

[spat]

4 Forgotten Meat-Preservation Methods Of The 1800s

The struggle to keep and store enough food is not a new problem, and as far back as 12,000 B.C., there is evidence of food preservation. The greatest tools to the ancients would have been sun and wind. Of course, we also can look to the Native Americans to learn how food was preserved. They smoked and salted meat to make it last longer.

Or we can look to the classically trained chefs of the 1800s. Their stories may not be as exciting or as fraught with peril as the American pioneers, but under certain kings they could be one bad meal away from the gallows!

1. Fat cap

Fat has an astounding ability to preserve. This is especially true when it rises to the top and seals in food. When fat cools and seals food in, it also keeps oxygen out. Without that precious oxygen, it takes much longer for the food to spoil. That is because bacteria need oxygen to proliferate.

4 Forgotten Meat-Preservation Methods Of The 1800s | Off The Grid News

Meat at room temperature without oxygen is how you get botulism. It'll probably work fine most of the time, but each bite is going to be a bit of a roulette spin.

 

[Gunright]

Has anyone here made home made jerky? How long have you stored it in either vacuum sealed or mylar bags (non-refrigerated)?

 

[Robin]

Seems to me I remember reading a story from the 1800's where an entire family was found dead at the dinner table, presumed to be from improperly preserved food, and the author related that while not common it is far from unheard of.
Robin

 

[dubleuhb]

Has anyone here made home made jerky? How long have you stored it in either vacuum sealed or mylar bags (non-refrigerated)?

Most of mine doesn't last long, it's that good, but have had it as long as a year in vacuum sealed bags with no problems.

 

[Gunright]

Most of mine doesn't last long, it's that good, but have had it as long as a year in vacuum sealed bags with no problems.

Would you mind sharing your recipe/technique? Yes, I can google it but I figured I may as well start here for some ideas.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

This is good stuff. I need to learn how to preserve various types of foods