What are F.A.Q.s?

They are the questions most frequently asked about salt beef.

If Salt Beef isn’t very salty, where does it get its name?

Brisket was originally cured in salt or brine (water and salt) and before the introduction of canning and then refrigeration this was almost the only way to preserve meat. These days Hensons Famous Salt Beef contains much less salt, and most of that is retained in the water on cooking. What you are left with is extremely tender beef with a unique taste, but much less salty than you might have imagined.

What’s the difference between Salt Beef and Corned Beef?

None at all. It is thought that corned beef was introduced to America by Irish immigrants, who referred to the large pieces of salt used to cure the meat as corns. The name corned beef has travelled back across the Atlantic in the form of canned corned beef, but we can assure you that there is no comparison between that product and a prime piece of salt beef.

What‘s the difference between Salt Beef and Pastrami?

There are a number of different ways of curing beef for pastrami, including dry curing and smoking, and it is possible to make pastrami out of duck or turkey. Hensons pastrami is made from extra-trimmed brisket, cured in exactly the same way as our salt beef, then coated with spices before being cooked. The result is moist and tasty, and – of course – spicy.

I fancy making salt beef myself – where can I buy the ingredients?

You can buy brisket from any good butchery, but turning it into salt beef is not as easy as you might think. You won’t be surprised to learn that our cure is a closely guarded secret, but even if we could sell it to you you’d still have to have the patience to wait six days for your beef to cure, and that’s with you turning it and rubbing salt into it several times a day. Even then you couldn’t be sure of obtaining an even cure throughout the meat.

I’d like to start selling salt beef sandwiches. Can you help me?

As well as supplying you with the beef, mustard, pickles and bagels we can assist you in getting the cooking process just right, or – if it is more appropriate to your operation – we will suggest using our pre-cooked beef for a heat-and-serve option. We can provide you with leaflets and posters, and if you are launching the product in your deli or restaurant then we will also be happy to discuss helping you with promotional activities.