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Sodium Nitrite is the ingredient that imparts the unique flavor of Prague Powder , and is also the stuff that makes the curing salt pink. The vivid pink color is to prevent users from accidentally confusing it with regular table (or Kosher) salt. Eaten straight, on its own, Prague Powder is actually toxic!
The key difference between the two curing salts is the prague powder # 2 has the additional sodium nitrate as well as sodium nitrite found in prague powder # 1 . The preserving power of prague powder # 2 lasts over months as the nitrates slowly convert to nitrites as the meat cures.
Prague powder #1 is extremely salty and not meant to be eaten as is. It is colored pink to prevent confusing it with table salt. It adds salt and flavor to cured meats, only once they have been cured.
Prague powder # 1 is 1 part (6.25%) sodium nitrite to 15 parts (93.75%) salt, plus anti-caking elements. It is used for all curing other than dry. You use 1 teaspoon for 5 pounds (2 kg) of meat, or 100g per 100 pounds (45 kg), and mix it with cold water to use .
It is also called InstaCure, Prague powder , and Pokelsalz in German. It is used on meat to prevent the production of botulinum toxin in meat. Pink salt is toxic to humans but is not present in finished, cured meats in a high enough dose to cause illness or death. Do not use pink salt like regular table salt.
So here’s the deal. Curing requires a very specific curing-salt – to -meat ratio. Too much results in excess sodium nitrite which isn’t good for you , and too little could result in spoiled meat which is just gross. The rule is always one teaspoon of Prague Powder #1 per five pounds of meat, ground or otherwise.
Himalayan pink salt can be used for meat curing , however, it does contain more trace minerals compared to sea salt . This may influence meat curing results. There is a large difference between Himalayan Pink Salt and Pink Curing Salt .
Prague powder #1 is 1 part (6.25%) sodium nitrite to 15 parts (93.75%) salt, plus anti-caking elements. It is used for all curing other than dry. You use 1 teaspoon for 5 pounds (2 kg) of meat, or 100g per 100 pounds (45 kg), and mix it with cold water to use.
Prague Powder # 2 aka Insta Cure # 2 , pink curing salt, or Sel Rose is composed of Salt, sodium nitrite 5.67%, sodium nitrate 3.63%, and FD & C Red #3. It used in the curing process to prevent botulism poisoning and to provide the characteristic flavor and red color associated with curing.
One of the most common curing salts. It is also called Insta Cure #1 or Pink curing salt #1. It contains 6.25% sodium nitrite and 93.75% table salt . It is recommended for meats that require short cures and will be cooked and eaten relatively quickly.
In a pinch: Celery juice or powder Celery juice is used because it naturally contains high levels of nitrates but the FDA recognizes it only as a flavoring additive, which is why the nitrate-free claim can be made. In any case, you can use celery juice or powdered celery juice as a substitute for curing salt .
It is a source of nitrogen, and nitrogen was named after niter. Potassium nitrate is one of several nitrogen-containing compounds collectively referred to as saltpeter (or saltpetre in the UK). Potassium nitrate.
Names | |
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IUPAC name Potassium nitrate | |
Other names Saltpeter Saltpetre Nitrate of potash | |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | 7757-79-1 |
They are all the same basic formulations and only these can be used interchangeably, however Cure #2 should never be substituted for Cure #1. Cure #2 iis a bonded mixture of 1 part sodium nitrite, . 64 parts sodium nitrate and 16 parts salt.
Mix 1 oz of sodium nitrite (6.25 percent) and 1 lb of table or sea salt in a bowl. Mix 1 oz of sodium nitrite (6.25 percent), 0.64 oz of sodium nitrate (4 percent) and 1 lb of table or sea salt in a bowl. This curing salt is good for making meats that won’t require cooking or refrigeration.
Nitrite is highly toxic if ingested in sufficiently large quantities, a lethal dose in humans is approximately 22 milligrams per Kg of body weight. The way to add nitrite accurately and safely (which I use in my sausage recipes) is to make up a curing powder and there is a standard known as Prague Powder #1 or Cure #1.