Water Activity

The Science of Charcuterie: How Salt, Drying, and Fermentation Turn Raw Meat Into Preserved Delicacies

Charcuterie preservation relies on making meat hostile to microbes through two main pathways: whole-muscle curing using salt and drying, and ground-meat fermented curing employing starter cultures for acidification before drying. Understanding these scientific principles, including water activity, pH, and key ingredients like salt and curing salts, is crucial for safe and successful charcuterie.