Rainbow sheen on cold cuts: Myth or edible fact?
Cold cuts are a popular addition to sandwiches, and many people also enjoy adding ham to scrambled eggs, omelets, and casseroles. Occasionally, you might notice a rainbow sheen on the surface of the meat, reminiscent of gasoline stains. What does this mean, and are such cold cuts safe to eat?
Some cold cuts, bought by weight or in packages, can develop a rainbow color on the store shelf. Even those made at home can look similar. Many wonder if this effect means the cold cut is unappealing or spoiled, causing concern about its consumption.
How to choose a good cold cut?
Cold cuts are a source of protein, but they can also contain a lot of fat, salt, and preservatives, which may adversely affect health. As such, they shouldn't be the cornerstone of our diet. However, if you can't imagine a sandwich without ham, pay special attention to the product quality you choose.
The best options are cold cuts with a high meat content—at least 80 percent. The higher the meat content, the fewer artificial additives. Cold cuts with about 50 percent meat are more like meat substitutes. Choose those made from 120 g of meat per 100 g of product and smoked with natural smoke.
You can also prepare cold cuts yourself at home. You might opt for roasted loin, for example. This way, you have full control over the quality.
Rainbow sheen on cold cuts
This phenomenon, observable in many food products, especially meat and cold cuts, has a scientific explanation. The rainbow sheen results from light diffraction. When light hits the meat's surface, it reflects off its muscle fibers and proteins, creating a rainbow spectrum of colors. Cold cuts with a rainbow sheen are safe to eat.
During slicing, the muscle fibers become rearranged. The incoming light refracts in a specific way, allowing us to see a rainbow effect on the surface of the cold cut. The natural structure of muscles, composed of many thin fibers, acts like a prism, splitting the light into individual colors. The thinner the slices, you will likely see a rainbow sheen because light has a larger area to reflect. Salt, nitrates, and nitrites used in curing meat can enhance this effect by preserving the meat's structure and increasing the intensity of light reflection.
