Saltpeter: Difference between revisions
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|description=Saltpeter is sodium nitrate, a chemical compound with the formula NaNO. It is used as a food preservative and was commonly used as a fertiliser and in the process of making gunpowder | |description=Saltpeter is sodium nitrate, a chemical compound with the formula NaNO. It is used as a food preservative and was commonly used as a fertiliser and in the process of making gunpowder | ||
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==What is saltpeter?== | ==What is saltpeter?== | ||
Saltpeter is sodium nitrate, a chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This was commonly used as a fertiliser and in the process of making gunpowder. However its culinary use is as a food preservative as it has antimicrobial properties. It is found naturally in leafy green vegetables. | Saltpeter is sodium nitrate, a chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This was commonly used as a fertiliser and in the process of making gunpowder. However its culinary use is as a food preservative as it has antimicrobial properties. It is found naturally in leafy green vegetables. | ||
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It would be extremely unwise to use the quantities suggested by Mrs Beeton in her [[Pig's head, boiled (Mrs Beeton's)|pig's head recipe!]] For the same reason, when salting and curing bacon, I would '''always''' use a proprietary cure mix rather than make my own. | It would be extremely unwise to use the quantities suggested by Mrs Beeton in her [[Pig's head, boiled (Mrs Beeton's)|pig's head recipe!]] For the same reason, when salting and curing bacon, I would '''always''' use a proprietary cure mix rather than make my own. | ||
==A safe | ==A safe saltpetre / sodium nitrate substitute== | ||
Substitute [[ascorbic acid]] or [[vitamin C]] in crystal form (try a good chemist for either of these). In | Substitute [[ascorbic acid]] or [[vitamin C]] in crystal form (try a good chemist for either of these). In today's 'terrorist-aware' climate, they will be far easier to obtain than salpetre and also have the advantage of being perfectly safe to consume. Use at a ratio of 1 g to 2 kg of meat. | ||
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[[Category:Ingredients]] | [[Category:Ingredients]] | ||
[[Category:Store cupboard items]] | [[Category:Store cupboard items]] | ||
Revision as of 15:55, 15 April 2015
What is saltpeter?
Saltpeter is sodium nitrate, a chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This was commonly used as a fertiliser and in the process of making gunpowder. However its culinary use is as a food preservative as it has antimicrobial properties. It is found naturally in leafy green vegetables.
It is a toxin and a carcinogen and nowadays its use is heavily restricted (200 parts per million in a finished product).
It would be extremely unwise to use the quantities suggested by Mrs Beeton in her pig's head recipe! For the same reason, when salting and curing bacon, I would always use a proprietary cure mix rather than make my own.
A safe saltpetre / sodium nitrate substitute
Substitute ascorbic acid or vitamin C in crystal form (try a good chemist for either of these). In today's 'terrorist-aware' climate, they will be far easier to obtain than salpetre and also have the advantage of being perfectly safe to consume. Use at a ratio of 1 g to 2 kg of meat.