Brined frozen chicken

[ghettoBird]

Hi folks

There has been a trend that i noticed over the last few months of frozen chicken that comes brined-
the packaging indicates anywhere between 25-28% brine in the content of the 2 kg or 1.8 kg bags.

Perhaps this has been going on for a lot longer as i don't regularly buy frozen chicken ( bachelor still )

My concern is that over the course of 6 months or so, the price of chicken has risen by about 25%, that's a sizable jump, which could be further exacerbated by the increasing import tariffs on chicken. My main concern is that frozen poultry is a staple among lower income LSM's.

Does anyone know if this has always been standard practice among poultry producers? Am i looking for a storm in a teacup?

thanks

gB

 

[DJ...]

Standard practice for decades and is actually beneficial for most home cooks. In fact many of the top chefs around the world brine their poultry as well. If you search the forums you'll find plenty of posts where I explain the science of this process in depth...

 

[ghettoBird]

I understand the process of brining poultry and the benefits with regard to moisture of the meat. The packs labelled as containing brine do definitely taste different. My issue is that the brine takes up 25% of the weight that should be chicken

The jury is out on whether they use frozen "braaipacks" at le Gavroche etc, but surely the market where they are aimed cares for for value vs taste and texture?

 

[DJ...]

A brined bird can have a better texture if done correctly. And you realise that most meats are made up predominantly of water to being with, right?

 

[ghettoBird]

A brined bird can have a better texture if done correctly. And you realise that most meats are made up predominantly of water to being with, right?

Yes and yes.

Just read an article that states that excessive brine is an issue in SA, snap. I'll have to grow my own chickens it seems

I will sit down now.

Thank you!

 

[DJ...]

Brining is commonplace in SA. SOme manufacturers and importers go overboard in this respect, true. But a brined bird is a better bird imo...

 

[Nether]

The meat isnt removed for brining afaik.

If they remove the brine it would just look smaller.

I guess the only issue would be that they charge brine weight in chicken meat value