Description
The Thüringer Rotwurst PGI is sausage product mostly made of precooked pork without tendons, precooked pig's cheek without the rind, raw pig liver, pickled pig's blood and cooked pork rind. A mixture is then added, which is made of salt, sodium nitrate, and some spices, specifically ground black pepper, marjoram from Thuringia and onions.
Production Area
The production area of the Thüringer Rotwurst PGI is in the federal state of Thuringia.
Production Method
The shoulder and the cheek are left to rest in pickle for roughly 12 hours; they are then cooked and diced. The rind, cooked with the liver and the onions, is minced, while the meat and bacon dice are left to drain for a few hours. Once concluded, they are placed in the mixer along with the spices and salt, and are accurately mixed. At this point, the pork rind paste is added, as well as the onions, the liver and finally the blood. It is then placed in a casing of pig bladder and cooked in a bain-marie.
Appearance and Flavour
The Thüringer Rotwurst PGI presents a uniform light red slice when cut. The product is furthermore characterised by a strong and peculiar aroma.
History
The Thüringer Rotwurst PGI boasts a secular tradition. It is characteristic of the artisan butchery of Thuringia and has been produced since ancient times during the homemade parties for the pig slaughter. Thus, its fame has its origins in the experience of the artisan-butchers, the recipes passed from generation to generation and the use of top-quality ingredients, mostly coming from Thuringia.
Gastronomy
The Thüringer Rotwurst PGI should be kept in the refrigerator. It should preferably be consumed barbecued and not later than four or five days after purchase. The best preparation method of the Thüringer Rotwurst PGI is that of roasting it on charcoal or browning it on the grill with bacon. The fire should not be excessively strong, so that the skin does not break. Generally, the sausage is presented on an open sandwich, served with mustard, and all of this with a cold beer.
Marketing
The product is sold as Thüringer Rotwurst PGI. It is marketed fresh, packaged whole, with the weight varying between 300 and 700 g, or portioned, in a vacuum pack or in glass containers.
Distinctive Features
The exquisite flavour of the Thüringer Rotwurst PGI, thanks to which it is called the Queen of blood puddings, is the particular composition of the paste, in which dices of lean meat are present - these can be pieces of liver, heart or tongue - as well as pig's cheek dices.
