Salt & Sea food

Preserving fish through salting, also known as salt curing, is one of the oldest techniques for keeping fish fresh, a method the Romans were particularly skilled at to create their renowned salt cod, or bacalao. This method has stood the test of time because it allows fish to be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration, and when properly prepared, it can taste as good as fresh fish! So, what exactly is salting? In essence, food-grade salt is added to fish to decrease its Water Activity (Aw). Fish flesh is made up of 75-80% water (in fatty fish, it's 60-65%), and during the salting process, some of this water is drawn out and replaced with salt. A salt concentration of between 6-10% in the fish, along with the drying effect from water loss, stops most spoilage bacteria from growing, thus preventing spoilage.

Fish are typically immersed in a brine (a saltwater solution), wet-salted, or dry-salted. It's crucial to note that the salting process affects the final product's quality, so it must be done under strict cleanliness conditions to avoid food safety issues like the growth of Clostridium botulinum in vacuum-packed items. Moreover, keeping the temperature below 8 °C is advised to prevent the formation of histamine in certain fish species. Fish that have been salted and preserved should be in good condition, well-prepared, and packaged in a manner that keeps the product safe from contamination while maintaining its appeal and safety for consumption. To ensure the fish's quality, it's important to handle it quickly and carefully, always working with the highest quality fresh fish. While salted fish is a durable product, it can be prone to a decline in quality due to changes in color or discoloration caused by lipid oxidation and the growth of salt-tolerant bacteria and molds.

The type and quality of salt used are of utmost importance. The salt should be food-grade and free from impurities like dirt, oil, bilge, or other foreign substances. Halophilic bacteria and molds can be found in solar salt. Salt that has been previously used or is contaminated should not be used. Solar salt and mine salt from the sea contain calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and chloride, whereas salt that has been processed and refined is nearly pure sodium chloride. An excess of calcium in salt might slow down the salt's penetration into the fish, potentially leading to spoilage. High concentrations of magnesium salts can cause bitter flavors and spoilage during the salting process, resulting in a loss. Furthermore, the size of the salt crystals plays a role. Using very fine salt granules could lead to the formation of salt clusters, which is undesirable for ensuring the salt is evenly distributed on the fish. On the other hand, using salt granules that are too coarse could damage the fish's flesh during the salting process and extend the salting time.

Preserving fish by salting has a long history and is likely to continue. However, to create high-quality salted fish that can command a premium, it's essential that proper salting techniques are applied effectively and securely to minimize the chances of loss, and in the end, enhance the value of the product.

S.K.S.C.NADARAJAN & BROR.
S.K.S.C. NADARAJAN & BROR. Salt company since 1942 Tag: Tuticorin Salt | crystal salt | crushed salt | relish freeflow salt | fine salt | coarse salt | size salt | Salt supplier | Kerala salt supplier | South indian salt export | South India salt company | thoothukudi saltern | Tuticorin saltern | deicing salt exporter | deicing salt tuticorin | Thoothukudi salt exporter | Thoothukudi traditional salt | Sea salt tuticorin | Sea salt Thoothukudi | Thoothukudi salt | India salt exporter tuticorin | salt Thoothukudi India | SKSC salt Tamil nadu | India old salt company | Salt company India | Salt company tamil nadu | Salt company Tuticorin | Tamil nadu Salt | India Salt | powder salt | natural salt india | Best salt company in south india | Salt seller Tuticorin | Salt seller in tamil nadu thoothukudi | retail table salt | common salt manufacturer | desalination salt | Salt for soap industry | Salt for dye industry | Salt for water softening | Salt for spice and masala industry | Iodised Salt | Iodized common Salt | Crystal edible salt |