If you’ve been cooking meat dishes lately, or even just smelling the smell of pork, and it’s often down to how strong the pork smells. It is important that you know how to get rid of this type of smell because it can really put a damper on your day.
After researching on the internet for hours, I’ve written this blog post to help you on how to get rid of pork smell and know why pork sometimes smells bad to avoid that situation.
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Why Does Pork Sometimes Smell Bad?
Research has revealed that there is a gene responsible for how we perceive the odor of pork meat. The genes that dictate how we smell determine whether pork smells a wide range of aroma from sweat, urine, and ammonia to vanilla.The compound, androstenone, is similar to testosterone and found in high concentrations in male pigs.
The Ammonia Smell In Pork
Many people are unfamiliar with the strong ammonia smell accompanying pork, but this is a common occurrence and not something to be alarmed of. The odor is caused by the breakdown of amino acids in muscle cells. The most potent source of this smell is from amines that are produced as meat proteins break down, which can be found in high concentrations in pork products.
The smell of ammonia often comes from cuts of meat that contain a large amount of tough connective tissue and gristle. Proteins in these parts are broken down by bacteria, producing a strong odor. It seems like it can be a problem for people to eat this meat if they are sensitive to the smell because it can lead to severe nausea and vomiting.
The good news is that cooking meat at a lower temperature for a longer period of time will reduce the ammonia smell. We should do that because it requires more time to break down proteins and reduce amines. It also means that you can minimize or eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Pork Smell Like Urine
There are two main reasons for pork to smell like urine. The first one is that the meat has gone bad. When the meat is rotten, you will notice a nauseating smell like ammonia. In addition, other signs such as texture and colour can change noticeably.
The second reason is about the types of meat. Surprisingly, not all pork has this strong urine scent. The funky smell (usually called boar taint) is from the compounds of androstenone and skatole. These two compounds produced by pig’s testes are found in the fat of male pigs which are not castrated.
How To Get Rid Of Pork Smell?
It depends on how you’re going to cook it, but here are some methods I like to use:
- One of the best ways to remove odors from any type of meat is by blanching. Place your meat into a pot filled with boiling water for 2-5 minutes before cooking.
- Use ginger, bay leaves, garlic, onions, leek, fermented soy paste, instant coffee, cinnamon sticks, apple/pear juice etc.
- Soak the meat in some water to get rid of the blood overnight or for a few hours before cooking.
- Use alcohol like Chinese rice wine, soju, sake, mirin, etc., to rinse the meat.
Some Other Related Questions
How can you tell if pork is spoiled?
Spoiled pork meat will smell worse after cooking. You can know pork is spoiled by smelling. But If you are not sure after smelling the meat, you go ahead touch it! The pork should be firm and moist when it is fresh. A mushy, sticky, dry meat, or even when it is hard is an indication that it is spoiled.
Can I eat cooked pork after five days?
Leftovers should be placed in the refrigerator within 1 to 2 hours of serving. Store cooked leftovers in the coldest part of the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Well-wrapped leftovers can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
How do you get rid of the smell of pork liver?
Because pork and chicken liver can have a bit of a smell, we will usually braise the liver in herbs and spices then stir-fry it with onions to remove the smell but keep the texture and flavour.
Conclusion
Pork sometimes has a distinctive and unpleasant odor. The smell can be so strong that it may scare people away from purchasing the meat, especially if they are unfamiliar with the aroma.
After reading this blog, I hope you will overcome the problem. Don’t throw away the smell pork immediately.
I am Paula D. Gonzales. As a Product Designer, I have worked with companies like AMC Culinary Cookware, counting over 6 years of professional experience in the cookwares field.
In this blog, I will review various cookware products such as cookware benefits, non-stick safety, healthy cookware, taste, durability, PFOA free, and induction cookware. My goal is to build a rigorous evaluation of various cookware products so that you and I can better understand the differences in the products and their relative benefits.