It’s one of those things that always had me wondering: why is it called corned beef when it does not contain any vegetable corn whatsoever?
Let’s find out.
As it turns out, the term derives from the preservation method which included covering the meat with rock-salt pellets. These pellets, that preserved the meat, were called “salt corns”, hence the name of the beef; corned beef. But why were they called “salt corns”? (the article continues after the ad)
Their name comes from the Old Germanic word “Kurnam” which basically meant small seed (of anything). Because a kernel of rock salt has pretty much the same size as a wheat or an oat kernel, people started referring to it as a “corn of salt”.
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: Why The Cold War Was Called… Cold War?
Main Article Photo: A.C. Cunningham, San Fransisco, California
Photoshop: I’m A Useless Info Junkie
Sources: The History of Corned Beef | Why Is It Called Corned Beef?
