A cured meat expert explains Guangdong lap cheung (Chinese sausage), covering its characteristics and selection.

Recently, Beth (Shen Xianggan), founder of the high-quality food importer Hafei, gave a detailed interpretation of Guangdong Lap Cheung (Cantonese sausage). Guangdong Lap Cheung can be simply classified by the filling and shape enclosed in the casing, with different types having different characteristics in terms of fat-to-lean ratio, texture, and flavor. Fresh meat Lap Cheung is slender and long, juicy, with a fat-to-lean ratio of 7:3; Dongguan Lap Cheung is short, thick, and large, with a crisp and elastic texture, and a fat-to-lean ratio of 6:4; goose liver Lap Cheung is small and finger-like, soft and fragrant with rose liqueur, with a fat-to-lean ratio of 8:2; duck liver Lap Cheung is slender and dark brown, soft and sweet, with a fat-to-lean ratio of 7:3; and gold and silver Lap Cheung is long and horn-shaped, black in color, rich and fragrant, with a fat-to-lean ratio of 5:5. In making high-quality Lap Cheung, every step from selection, cutting, seasoning, pickling, filling, tying, to drying is crucial. Traditionally, pig or sheep intestines, after complex processing, can make the Lap Cheung more resilient and crisp, while some now use collagen casings instead, which will affect the taste of the Lap Cheung. The drying process reduces the moisture content of the Lap Cheung. In the past, sun-drying or charcoal oven drying was often used. When purchasing Lap Cheung, choose products that are dry on the surface, have even concave-convex textures, normal color, and no peculiar smell or rancid smell. In terms of preservation, due to the humid weather in Hong Kong, Lap Cheung can be stored for more than half a year at -18 degrees Celsius in an ice compartment; if stored in a refrigerator at 4 to 10 degrees Celsius, it can be stored for up to two months, and prolonged storage will easily cause rancidity and spoilage.

23

2025

/

06

< 12 >