Dragons Hobbies Forum

General Category => General Discussions => Topic started by: TylerChuit on June 21, 2009, 23:22:25

Title: Well... huh... Rainbow Meat you say...
Post by: TylerChuit on June 21, 2009, 23:22:25
Q.)  What causes the shiny, rainbow appearance on some cured meats?

A.)  A natural phenomenon in cured meat (and some fresh meat) is the occurrence of iridescence or a rainbow appearance on the cut lean surface. Technically, this is referred to as birefringence. It is caused by the reflectance of light off of muscle proteins, and it is analogous to the color distribution produced by a prism. Muscle proteins are arranged in strands called myofilaments, which are bound together to form myofibrils. Myofibrils are bound together to form muscle fibers, which form together to form muscle bundles and finally whole muscles. When the myofilaments are cut at the appropriate angle, exposing a cross section of the myofilaments, the reflectance of light off the proteins produces the characteristic appearance associated with iridescence.
Title: Re: Well... huh... Rainbow Meat you say...
Post by: Dragon on June 22, 2009, 08:27:14
Strange. I don't think I've come across any Rainbow Meat.
Title: Re: Well... huh... Rainbow Meat you say...
Post by: TylerChuit on June 23, 2009, 15:03:08
Yeah.. It mostly happens on your non "jew-friendly" meats. ;D
Title: Re: Well... huh... Rainbow Meat you say...
Post by: Wyldwing on June 24, 2009, 07:04:25
Bahahahahh!!! So it's a pork product issue?  ;D