First time post.
So I just finished my first attempt at fermented sausage using this recipe:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMZpf_Yp7WSScMHCRAHlCvTP4KJD9S5LcvooyYdhHwtCSc3TiyMoYjMiS0V4-D0nQ/photo/AF1QipO3BItWMAU2BqTbxvvytQD-cz0RNDAtZcKBIdmV?key=OUEyelM0enhWcEhfLThzdmxjOFdkMmJBUVpxbG93
I pretty much followed the ingredient list to the letter except for the following:
1. I didn't grind my own meat
2. I used twice as much of a different culture because it was 9 months past the expiry date.
3. The fermentation temperature was around 90F not 100F
Culture used is shown below:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMZpf_Yp7WSScMHCRAHlCvTP4KJD9S5LcvooyYdhHwtCSc3TiyMoYjMiS0V4-D0nQ/photo/AF1QipNfIntsdoCVT2nAwLA850ZX8dbVGvJcHfSBQwiu?key=OUEyelM0enhWcEhfLThzdmxjOFdkMmJBUVpxbG93
I included a test sample in the fermenter which looked like this after 24hrs:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMZpf_Yp7WSScMHCRAHlCvTP4KJD9S5LcvooyYdhHwtCSc3TiyMoYjMiS0V4-D0nQ/photo/AF1QipN1LGpKrywOYfhr6JiDAQawdsR_kKbWJiOS69Ch?key=OUEyelM0enhWcEhfLThzdmxjOFdkMmJBUVpxbG93
The test sample also exhibited the following characteristics:
1. Kind of a sour ammonia type smell
2. When removed from the sample cup...the sample had set very firm...almost the consistency of silicon sealant
3. Kind of a light bitter tart type taste
I am no expert at pH testing and tried the following tests using pH test ribbon:
1. Lay directly on top of sample
2. Lay directly on top of sample and add a bit of distilled water
3. Small bit of sample with 2 x parts of distilled water
4. Entire sample with 2 x parts of distilled water
The nearest I could make out was that the pH was about 5.2
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMZpf_Yp7WSScMHCRAHlCvTP4KJD9S5LcvooyYdhHwtCSc3TiyMoYjMiS0V4-D0nQ/photo/AF1QipNThGmcoXVbdU_X70vACxVsuJCE0pHe1ZPpVVUm?key=OUEyelM0enhWcEhfLThzdmxjOFdkMmJBUVpxbG93
After coming out of the smoker the sausage looks and smells great however for no good reason I feel like I should start out with a small bite and wait 24 hours....am I being paranoid?
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMZpf_Yp7WSScMHCRAHlCvTP4KJD9S5LcvooyYdhHwtCSc3TiyMoYjMiS0V4-D0nQ/photo/AF1QipP9bkHOLLpsRWd-Jx0iGm0BKXJJ6vf3-pCGnFVu?key=OUEyelM0enhWcEhfLThzdmxjOFdkMmJBUVpxbG93