What is sodium nitrate used for?
Are you tired of bland, tasteless food? Do you want to try something new? Look no further than sodium nitrate! This wonder chemical is used in a variety of ways and can revolutionize the way you eat!
What is sodium nitrate?
Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) was first discovered in 1659 by German chemist Johann Glauber. It is an inorganic compound that is found naturally in Chilean saltpeter deposits but can also be synthesized artificially.
Sodium nitrate has many industrial applications but it’s best known for its role as a food preservative. While FDA limits are set on how much sodium nitrates may be added to foods (40 parts per million) , most people still question its safety due to its origins within processed meats such as bacon, sausage, hotdogs etc.
So what exactly makes this compound so special? Let’s dive into it!
How does Sodium Nitrate work?
When added to water solution or directly mixed with meat products actually selectively kills bacteria like botulism and clostridium tetani that can spoil meats causing serious health effects when consumed. It also helps boost flavoring and coloration which appeals visually alongside the taste buds.
Spice up your Recipes with Sodium Nitrate
With every passing day there seems to come another “it” ingredient- turmeric one week (don’t spill any on that white t-shirt), Himalayan salt the next but what about good old sodium nitrate ? This little bad boy will not only cure your meaty bites for days even weeks if done correctly curing ham takes over a month because sometimes patience truly does pay off right?, adding complexity depthy flavors and crisping em’ up too!
No longer should we fear pre-packaged lunchmeat we always questioned being doubtful of their sustained freshness, instead now savor the taste with a newfound appreciation.
But what about beyond meats? Sodium Nitrate can be added to many other food stuffs such as dairy products and even beer- not just to preserve its shelf life but actually create a distinct complexity within these foods that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise!
Baking with Sodium Nitrate
That place in your heart for all things tasty can now also embrace baked goods into this mix- why stop at processed meats when there’s an entire world out there waiting to be contaminated… er enhanced!
Baked goods deliver both sweet and savoury bites- from cakes, muffins, breads and pastries. The addition of Sodium Nitrate creates depth where it previously didn’t exlcude by providing browning capabilities ultimately improving overall texture.
Non Food related applications
Beyond the culinary arts- sodium nitrate has played a role in non-food related sectors:
- Enamels
- Fertilizers
- Rocket propellants
and more!
Medicine & Agriculture
Sodium nitrate is well-known within the agriculture sector as used for plant fertilisers specifically enriching soil quality allowing greater crop production outcomes. This is due to nitrates variable composition forming nitrogen which plants require for growth. Medically speaking it was once widely utilized through heart issues but long-term use prolonged coronary artery disease thus later discontinued whilst remaining focused on agricultural needs
Law enforcement & Military: Explosives Production
Table salt vs sand or worse yet glittered confetti, meaning do you really want standard pepper spray being administered during police action or perhaps something stronger?
This quintessential compound holds another purpose behind closed doors.. While we don’t publicly advertise our affiliated stance on explosive creation…we will tell you how interesting developing agents like black powder came partly backed by Saltpeter’s presence alongside making smokeless gunpowder (saltpeter doesn’t readily ignite a spark), creating some of the most effective and powerful ordnance cast.
How Much is Sodium Nitrate Too Much
Yes, we are fully aware by this point you’re hooked on stuffing this wonder ingredient into everything but…
Like most things in life- moderation remains key. FDA has set limits proving beneficial with frequent checks limiting it to 40 parts per million expressed within prepared servings available for ingestion
Potential side effects
Consumption beyond daily requirements can lead to digestion exploitation/ inefficiencies- too much depth not necessarily being better.
Toxicity
Sodium nitrate in high dosage carries carcinogenic risk based versus exposure causing concern within consumers who may carry health concerns relevant to habitual intake
In Conclusion
While sodium nitrate has its limitations and concerning risk factors- its history across various sectors proves advancements stemming far more than simply ensuring meats taste great and last longer.
Incorporating sodium nitrate into your diet won’t suddenly transform you into superhuman, Batman but will certainly revolutionize the way foods stored with unique tastes geared toward an appreciation over bland uninspiring bites. Whether looking towards trying out something meaty or discovering “out there” uses cautionary research alongside recommendations from reliable sources remain essential before diving head first without proper guidance off unknown peaks.
Now go forth pioneers of complex flavours, innovative minds & indulge unabashedly!