cornedbeef

[tinkertontom]

why is cornedbeef called cornedbeef and when did it first appear and why is it still produced in those infuriating tins that have to be opened with a key which nine times out of ten get lost by the time you get it home

[nickmo]

Corned beef because corns of salt were rubbed into beef to keep it from spoiling pre-refigeration. Brine is now used rather than dry salt cure, but the name is still the same.

If you lose the key to the tin - traditional shape, doesn't roll and easy to stack - plus the meat is easy to slice ina rectangle rather than a roll - use a traditional can opener which easily gets round the corners. Chill before opening and the meat is easier to slice.

[kazzianne]

you can get it in round tins now!

[Primular]

HAVE A LOOK HERE

http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/CornedBeef.htm

[tinkertontom]

thanks primular good site I might have a go and make my own then I wont have to worry about opening that stupid tin

[heathfield]

The key is provided to allow you to open the can without having to resort to an alternative can-opener. When cans were first widely introduced, opening them was a real problem involving a hammer and chisel! You may have seen the 'bull's head' type of early can-opener in antique shops or car boot sales. Or here These were highly dangerous to use - the knife-edge would often slip and stab the hand holding the can, and they left a really jagged edge on the can and lid. At the time, the corned beef can with its key opener was actually many times safer to open.

These days, lots of cans have a ring-pull lid - and there's no reason why corned beef cans shouldn't have them. In the meantime, it's best to do as nickmo says and use a cheapo (69p) opener - it'll get round the tight corners OK. Open both ends and push out the contents. Corned beef hash - mmm!

[nickmo]

Really useless triva - tin cans were invented as a process for storing food - before they invented the can opener. Brilliant!

Tin cans patented 1810.

Can opener patented first in 1858..