Seasoning Dispersal

[PapaSop]

denny66
This will sound a little bizarre. Made the Rueben brats this past spring as a fresh sausage. Was not overly impressed on the initial try. After freezing for awhile they seemed much better (the bizarre part). No idea why.

[hotkarl]

denny66 Half of the time I won’t even try any meat I’ve processed without vacuum sealing it and freezing it for at least a week. I’ve also had some summer sausage that I smoked very heavy per a request and It also took a couple weeks to mellow out enough for me to eat it.

[Austin]

denny66
I don’t know if there is science behind it, but I should ask our “Application Specialist” as he probably knows, but I think there is a different flavor to seasoning after they have sat in whatever food product you make for a period of time.

For a different type of example, I like making dips out of sour cream by adding some seasoning from one of the Excalibur seasoning shakers to it, and it never tastes the same immediately as it does the next day. It is similar, but yet different. It is like the seasoning has to fully permeate the food first.

I’ll ask one of our other guys here who knows more there and see if he can confirm or deny anything.

[Joe Hell]

Austin Salsa is ALWAYS better the next day!

[Parksider]

This is interesting…I don’t think I’ve ever noticed it. I usually have to beat the fellas off with a stick when stuff comes out of the smoker. On the same note I do hang my dried venison for a week before we slice it…Someone else needs to be in charge of the science part, NOT ME!!!

[PapaSop]

There is always a few things that are better after resting. Seems like anything with tomato sauce base. Chili, spaghetti, lasagna. Now sausage?

[hotkarl]

PapaSop don’t forget cheese! I don’t really care for the stuff but time drastically changes smoked cheese

[craigrice]

hotkarl I let mine sit and mellow for at least 5-7 days, doing more tomorrow while making snack sticks

[Toby]

I don’t know why but when we make breakfast sausage we make some with Caroline Reaper and and cook it right after the mix and everyone can eat. Freeze it for a month and it will make most men cry.

[joduff]

That’s a great observation about the sausages tasting better the next day. The same thing happens when I make stew, soup, or chili. It always tastes better the next day. I agree with you that spices give a great flavor and aroma immediately when cooked but have more to offer as they have a chance to sit longer.

In reply to the one question about how long the sausage sits in the fridge…I follow the same procedures as most - from smoker or oven to the ice bath, air dry, then to the fridge for a few hours.
My procedure from here will probably differ from others. After the sausage has sat in the fridge, I vacuum pack the sausage and put it back in the fridge for a few more days to a week before freezing.