Saltpeter
By: Colin Saunders

About

A chemical compound used as a preservative in charcuterie, such as in the brine used to make corned beef, though its use has lessened with the discovery of nitrates and invention of refrigeration. Saltpeter and other curative salts are commonly tinted so that they are distinguishable from table salt; it is this dye that gives certain cured meats their distinctive pink color.

Information
Other names: Potassium Nitrate, Saltpetre
Translations: Salpetris, Salietra, Salpetru, Salitra, Hỏa tiêu, Saletra, Salpeter, शोरा, Salitre, Селитра, Νιτρικό κάλιο, الملح الصخري, 질산 칼륨, Ledek, Шалитра, Salitre, 硝, Salnitre, Salitra, Liadok, Salnitro, מלחת, SALPETER, Sendawa, 硝石, Salpêtre, Salpeter, Salpeter, Salitre, Селітра, Salpietari, Селитра


Physical Description
Saltpetre is potassium nitrate, chilie saltpeter is ammonium nitrate (the picture of ammonium nitrate has nothing to do with saltpetre).  It prevents botulism growing in preserved meat and maintains the red colour and texture. This is not because it contains dye (it should not be dyed for food use but a white colour).