Wet aging is relatively new. Essentially all you do is vacuum seal your meat and leave in the fridge for 7 to 28 days. The enzymes are still at work breaking down the tissue and the bag seals out air to prevent contamination. This is a much easier process that can be done to frozen meat.
Likewise, people ask, how long can you wet age beef?
The wet aging process can last for between 4 and 6 weeks. This is dependent on how long the meat is in storage between slaughter and sale to the consumer or butcher. Some butchers will leave the steaks in their refrigerator for longer to allow the meat to age further.
Furthermore, how does wet aged beef not spoil?
Wet or dry aging. Wet aging – After the beef is cut, the middle meats (ribeyes, strip steaks, T-bones, filets, and sirloins) are packaged in plastic bags and vacuum-sealed. Vacuum packaging protects the beef from bacteria and from oxygen that can cause it to spoil.
What does wet age mean?
Wet aging means that the aging process happens at refrigerated temperatures, usually around 28ºF to 35ºF, in a vacuum-sealed bag. No oxygen is in the bag for the aging period. The beef ages in its natural juices. The enzymes in the beef allow it to tenderize and build up all the flavor.
What does wet aging mean?
The more common aging method used today is wet–aging, a process in which meat is vacuum-sealed in plastic and allowed to age for 4-10 days, or sometimes longer. Similar to dry-aging, the process allows enzymes in the trapped juices to break down collagen between muscle fibers, increasing tenderness.
Can I wet age beef at home?
It can be butchered and cooked just like any other cut you might buy, aged or otherwise. As you can see, wet-aging is well within reach for the home cook. It just takes a bit of know-how, and a nice, prime cut of beef to get started!
Does aging meat tenderize it?
Aging is the process during which microbes and enzymes act upon the meat to help break down the connective tissue, for the sake of making the aforementioned meat object more tender.
Does wet aged beef smell?
Wet aged beef has an earthy smell to it, not a foul or bad smell.