Why do butchers cover pork with cloth?
1. Viewpoint 1: Preserving Fresh Meat
The first butcher, Ms. Linh, said that covering pork with a cloth not only helps keep the meat fresh but also protects it from dust and insects. “When pork is displayed outside, it is very susceptible to contamination from the air or from external sources. The cloth helps create a barrier, preventing dust and insects from entering. At the same time, the cloth also absorbs moisture, keeping the surface of the meat from getting wet, thereby helping to minimize the growth of bacteria,” Ms. Linh shared.
The butcher uses a cloth to cover the pork to keep it moist, so the meat will be tastier, more elastic, and fresher.
In addition, using a cloth also helps maintain the temperature of the meat. When meat is stored at the ideal temperature, the storage time will be longer and the quality of the meat will also improve.
2. Perspective 2: Impressing Customers
The second butcher, Minh, looked at the issue from a business perspective. “The cloth not only has a preservation function but also is a factor that impresses customers. A clean and tidy meat counter will attract more customers,” Minh said. “When customers see the meat covered with a clean cloth, they will feel more secure about the quality of the product.”
According to him, maintaining hygiene is not only a responsibility but also a way to build a personal brand in this business. Customers will return to sellers who take care of their products.
Keeping the meat moist also makes the meat look more attractive, making it easier for sellers to attract customers.
When buying meat, pay attention to this:
- Look closely at the cloth to see if the seller is really careful. If the cloth looks dirty and moldy, with many flies and mosquitoes landing on it, the seller usually does not pay attention. If the cloth is not washed regularly, the dirty cloth will not protect the meat but will cause the meat to be contaminated. Therefore, the buyer should observe the cloth to evaluate.
- Look at whether the seller often wipes the water, whether the cloth is very wet. If the cloth is too wet, the seller often wipes it, especially when cutting the meat, it is very likely that the meat is not standard, it is thawed meat or meat injected with water to increase the weight. Therefore, in addition to looking at the meat, pay attention to the cloth and how the butcher uses the cloth to choose good meat.
