How to Choose Good Pork Meat
When you go to buy pork, instead of simply saying “Give me 5 kilograms of loin meat” or “Give me 3 kilograms of belly meat,” you should follow these steps to choose clean pork:
Check the color and moisture: Avoid buying pork if you notice the following signs:
If the pork is injected with water, the meat will be pale, soft, have loose fibers, and have more water stains than normal meat. When you see these signs, you should avoid buying that meat, as it may be a sign of water-logged meat.
Check the fat ratio and the thickness of the meat: Beware of abnormal meat with little fat and too thin, as it may be meat that has been injected with fat-generating substances. Eating such meat can be harmful to your health.
Check the color of the meat: Avoid buying pieces of meat that are too dark red, as it may be because the pig has been injected with tranquilizers before slaughter, leading to blood pooling in the cells and creating a darker color. Pork should be light pink and natural in color.
Use the meat’s elasticity test: When making a purchase, press the meat with your hand to create a slight dent. If the meat returns to its original shape when you lift your hand, it indicates that the meat is fresh and of good quality.
These measures will help you buy quality pork and ensure the health of your family.
How to Properly Handle Meat
When handling pork, proper handling will maintain quality and ensure food safety. Here are the ways you can effectively handle pork:
Thoroughly wash the meat: To remove dust and impurities from the meat’s surface, you should quickly rinse the meat with clean water or water mixed with a little salt. This helps remove impurities and clean the meat.
Soak the meat in diluted saltwater: An effective way to improve the taste and remove dirt is to soak the meat in diluted saltwater. The saltwater helps make the meat fresher and removes harmful substances. Then, you should rinse the meat with clean water before cooking.
Boil the meat in cold water: Place the meat in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. During this process, if there are any bubbles floating on the surface of the water, skim them off. This helps remove toxins and excess substances from the meat.
Following these steps will help you handle pork safely and ensure the quality of the food before cooking.