Description

Food preservation technique

Technical

The Wiltshire cure is a traditional English technique for curing bacon and ham. The technique originated in the 18th century in Calne, Wiltshire; it was developed there by the Harris family. Originally it was a dry cure method that involved applying salt to the meat for 10–14 days. Storing the meat in cold rooms meant that less salt was needed. Since the First World War it has been a wet cure, where the meat is soaked in brine for 4–5 days. Smoking is not part of the process, although bacon is often smoked after being cured.