Curing

Curing is a preservation process used primarily for food, where salt, sugar, and sometimes nitrites are applied to inhibit the growth of bacteria and enhance flavor. This technique is commonly applied to meats and fish, resulting in products like cured ham and smoked salmon. By lowering moisture content and creating an inhospitable environment for spoilage organisms, curing helps extend shelf life while also developing unique textures and flavors. In broader contexts, curing can refer to processes applied to materials, like cement or rubber, to improve their durability and properties through controlled chemical reactions.