So, you’ve never tasted pig meat or pork before and are curious about what it tastes like. You can expect the meat to have a touch of sweetness with a fatty, gamey, salty, and savory undertone.
The taste of pork falls more so in between lamb meat, goat meat, and white veal meat. Contrary to popular belief, pork does not taste like chicken! You can, however, expect pork to taste bland when it is not seasoned.
Depending on the way that the meat is cut, the taste of pork can also differ. For instance, pork meat holds more of a stronger flavor if it has a lot of fat. On the other hand, the cut may taste more on the poultry side if it is leaner.
What is pork
Pork is defined as the meat of the domestic pig. Pork is the most common red meat that is consumed around the world, especially in Eastern Asia. However, certain religions such as Judaism and Islam forbid its consumption, which is why in many Islamic countries, pork is illegal.
Even though preserved or cured pork products like sausages, bacon, ham, and smoked pork are quite common, pork is often eaten unprocessed.
For a healthy diet, lean pork can be an excellent addition since it is rich in minerals and vitamins and high in protein.
If you’ve had the chance to watch the local butcher cut down a pig, you’ll know that there are four basic primal cuts, including shoulder, leg, belly, and loin.
These can be broken down to get smaller cuts like bacon, pork chops, or picnic shoulders.
How to store pork
It is essential that when you work with pork, you store and handle it properly to ensure safety. Harmful bacteria like trichinella spiralis cannot be seen on the meat, but it is often found in pork, leading to trichinosis or other food-borne diseases.
It is best to store pork in the bottom of the refrigerator on a platter or in a bowl. The temperature of your refrigerator should be no more than 40 °F. To prevent cross-contamination through leaked juices, always place pork in plastic bags.
If the trip to the refrigerator from the market lasts more than two hours, place the pork on ice or in a cooler.
How do you know if pork has gone bad
If you’re at the butcher or the grocery store and are looking to buy good quality pork, make sure that there is no odor coming from the meat, and the color of the meat is a pale pinkish grey. In texture, good pork is not slimy, but it can be moist.
You’ll know the pork is bad when a sour odor develops, which will intensify and deepen over time. If pork is kept in the freezer, it usually takes around 3 to 6 months to spoil, and if it’s in the refrigerator, it can take 2 to 5 days.
Dishes with pork
Variations of dishes with pork can spice up summer BBQs, holiday spreads, and weeknight dinners. A showstopping pork dish that is great for any occasion can range from a fancy mustard glazed pork chop to a Milanese sandwich.
When working with pork, it’s important to know which cut fits best for what occasion. For example, suppose you’re looking to get more protein into your diet- in that case, pork tenderloin is ideal, but when you’re hosting a taco Tuesday, throwing a pork tenderloin into your Instant Pot will not only indulge your guests but will also have them coming back for mouth-watering seconds.
Some other honorable mentions for dishes you can do with pork include stir fry, pork ragu with ravioli, thyme pork roast, ground pork meatballs, and slow-cooked teriyaki ribs.
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