Tag: Chile saltpeter

Millions of years of specific geological and climatic conditions in a single location on Earth created the primary natural source of sodium nitrate. For decades, the world's commercial supply of sodium nitrate, known as Chile saltpeter, was mined almost exclusively from these deposits before the development of synthetic alternatives.

Curing salt was formulated to prevent food-related illnesses and preserve meat by inhibiting harmful microbes. While many assume all curing salts are the same, they actually vary in composition and use. The specific salt containing sodium nitrate is used for a different purpose than its more common counterpart, making proper identification essential for food safety.