It is widely known that jerky can be kept for a long time and still consumed, and it is true. The most essential thing about jerky is that it may be stored for a long time before being eaten, and the reason humans began to make this fantastic meal was because of it. It, therefore, makes sense to believe that jerky is mold-proof, does not it? Wrong.
Is It Possible For Beef Jerky To Mold? Beef jerky can mold, and it does so rather quickly. There are a few things you may do to prevent it, but if you follow the guidelines carefully, you should not have any problems.
What should you do exactly if your jerky has mold on it? What is the source of mold on beef jerky, and is it dangerous to consume tainted meat? Let’s get this party started! To answer these questions as well as others, read on!
Also Read: How To Eat Shredded Beef Jerky
Mold On Beef Jerky
Molds are tiny fungi that live on plant and animal substances. Mold spores are what give spoiled beef jerky its green and white spots. Mold is certainly unsightly. The good news is that most molds can be seen with the naked eye.
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp, dark areas. It produces telltale signs: fuzzy, dusty, or furry foreign things that are green, white, or gray in color and has a spider-web pattern. Mold often has a spider-web texture. If the jerky smells odd, it is probably moldy. Another way to sniff out mold is to smell it. If the jerky has an “unwanted” aroma, this might be an indication of mold being present.
Also Read: How Thick To Slice Meat For Jerky?
Can You Consume Jerky With Mold?
But before we get into that, let’s talk about what happens if your jerky has already become moldy. You probably know that if a mold develops on your jerky, you should immediately discard it. Even though some people will tell you it is safe to eat rotten beef jerky or that the mold-infested parts can be removed, eating it poses a significant health risk.
What Does Mold On The Jerky Look Like?
Mold on jerky resembles mold on other foods; this means you should be on the lookout for disgusting stains that are brightly colored (particularly white and green). While we are talking about jerky, though, it is conceivable that there will be white stains (and they may appear hideously ugly). But we still have a ways to go.
Also Read: How To Tell If Jerky Is Done Dehydrating
If You Ate Jerky With Mold – What Should You Do?
But what if you have already done that, perhaps because you did not even realize it was moldy in the first place? To be honest, nothing terrible is going to happen; and it is quite probable that nothing serious will occur.
However, vomiting and nausea, as well as diarrhea and stomach pain, are two of the most common symptoms. So if you are feeling it is too awful to handle, go ahead and contact your doctor.
Also Read: How To Keep Beef Jerky Soft
How Can You Keep Beef Jerky From Getting Moldy?
Let’s start by discussing how to keep your jerky from molding in the first place so you do not have to worry whether that stain is or is not mold. So, what would you do?
The simplest thing to do is not to purchase or produce moist jerky since moisture causes beef jerky to mold. However, if you prefer your jerky wet, do not be downhearted; there are more options available.
Because of the lack of oxygen, even moist jerky will not mold if it is properly sealed away from air. Mold can not grow in a vacuum environment because there is no oxygen. As a result, vacuum-pack your jerky (you may also store it in the fridge for improved results), and you will be fine.
Also Read: How To Eat Shredded Beef Jerky
What Do You Do If You Find Mold On Jerky?
When in doubt, do not hesitate to get rid of it. Surface mold is common on foods like hard salami or dry-cured country ham. Mold may be easily removed and the meat consumed. Jerky, on the other hand, has an extended shelf life and requires a different process for preparation.
It is tempting to cut off the moldy bits and save the jerky pieces that do not have mold, but there is no assurance that the mold has not spread throughout. Mold’s root structure may extend deep into food, particularly because jerky is more flexible and permeable than other types of meat.
Even pieces that do not show signs of mold should be thrown away if mold is discovered on a piece of jerky.
Why There Is White Stuff On My Beef Jerky?
However, the white spots are more difficult to eliminate and we have already alluded to that a bit. So what exactly is it about your beef jerky that may be causing the white spots? The most likely causes of white streaks on meat include salt and fat.
It may be difficult to tell those three apart, but it is not impossible. Mold grows in a similar manner to spider webs if the stains appear like them. The fat stains, on the other hand, appear solid and whole. Finally, if the staining is fluffy, it is salt.
How You Can Tell If Beef Jerky Has Gone Bad?
Because there are several things on beef jerky that could be confused with mold (as we have said in the preceding paragraph), and more significantly because beef jerky typically spoils before it actually begins to grow mold, you can not tell whether it is gone bad simply by glancing at it.
As a result, it is better to trust your nose – the simplest way to tell if your jerky is still good is by taking a good sniff.
Summary
Although beef jerky might seem unusual, it can mold. And it is not something that happens every day. That is because many individuals do not realize how much moisture has to be removed from the meat during dehydration or do not store pre-prepared moist jerky properly.
You must keep your jerky vacuum sealed to prevent it from molding because any mold requires oxygen in order to develop. If your jerky has become moldy, do not take a chance and toss it out. It is always preferable to waste a little of potentially eatable food than to suffer from health issues.