What is sausage desiccation?

Sausage is an essential deli meat for appetizers, and it has a unique flavor and texture. Did you know that there is a process called desiccation that achieves this unique texture and flavor? If you love sausages, here is an article that will help you learn more about the process of drying sausages.

The drying process

Desication is the process of drying the salami in order to give the flavors and texture its unique character. It is a process that is generally done in the open air, but it is sometimes completed by the use of sausage dryers.

The process of drying a sausage begins with tanning, in which the sausage is put in a mixture of salt and water that gives it its salty taste. It is then left to dry in the open air for several days, which gives it its typical texture. The drying time is very important because it determines the texture and taste of the sausage as well as its shelf life.

The sausage is usually suspended by a string and exposed to the air, ideally at a temperature of around 10°C, with high humidity, up to 80%. The sausage will then dry naturally, i.e. lose water, and therefore weight, until it looks and feels dry.

Once the sausage is dry, it is ready to eat. It can be kept for up to 6 months, but it is advisable to consume it within 2 months to get the most out of it. The salami continues its desiccation process, even after the final drying of the product, until it completely loses the moisture taken from inside the meat during the months following its manufacture.

How many grams can a sausage lose during the drying process?

This obviously varies with the type of sausage, but a sausage can lose up to 10% of its weight during drying. The leaner the meat, the more the sausage will lose weight, because the fat retains more of the humidity contained in the sausage, thus preventing the product from drying out too quickly.

Desiccation is a crucial process to obtain sausages with a unique flavor and unique texture. Understanding this process is a good way to better understand sausage and how to preserve and enjoy it to the best of its ability. If you are a salami fan, you will certainly appreciate what desiccation has to offer!