The difference between sausages and cold cuts: What they are and how they are made
We often use the terms cured meat and cold cut as if they were synonyms. We go to the delicatessen counter, ask for something for a sandwich or a quick dinner and, in everyday conversation, it is easy to put all these products into the same category.
However, although they may share some characteristics, cured meat and cold cuts are not exactly the same thing. The main difference lies in how they are made, how they are presented and the type of product we are talking about. In addition, not all sausages are cured, nor are all meat products that we eat cold and sliced considered sausages.
As experts in meat products, at Ramaders Agrupats we believe that knowing what we buy is also part of gastronomic language. That is why today we are going to clarify these two concepts and explain the difference between sausages and cold cuts. We will also finish with a fresh recipe that is very much part of Mallorca’s culinary tradition: a Mallorcan coca with sobrasada, ramallet tomato and Mahón cheese, perfect for preparing in advance and enjoying at room temperature.
What is a cured meat?
A cured meat is a processed meat product generally made from minced or chopped meat that is placed inside a natural or artificial casing. Depending on the type of product, it may then undergo different processes, such as curing, drying, cooking or smoking.
There are many different types of cured meat, including chorizo, salchichón, longaniza, fuet, butifarra and sobrasada.
Therefore, being a cured meat does not necessarily mean that the product is cured. There are fresh sausages that need to be cooked before eating, such as some varieties of longaniza or butifarra; cooked sausages and cured products, which undergo maturation and drying processes that change their texture, aroma and flavour.
In short, when we talk about sausages, we are mainly referring to a particular way of processing and presenting the product, rather than to a single preservation method.
What is a cold cut?
The term cold cut is commonly used to refer to certain processed meat products that are eaten cold, usually sliced. This category includes products such as cooked ham, mortadella, luncheon meat and different cooked-meat preparations.
In many cases, these products are ready to eat and are particularly practical for preparing sandwiches, appetisers or cold dishes.
For this reason, we should not understand sausages and cold cuts as two completely opposite categories. Depending on the product and how it has been made, the concepts may overlap. In everyday language, both terms are also used quite broadly.
The fundamental difference is that “sausage” mainly refers to a method of preparation in which meat is placed inside a casing, while “cold cut” is a broader term used for certain processed meat products that are generally eaten cold and sliced.
Understanding these differences helps us better appreciate what we buy and the work that goes into each product.
Recipe: Mallorcan coca with sobrasada, ramallet tomatoes and Mahón cheese
A simple recipe made with products that are deeply rooted in Mallorca’s culinary tradition and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 coca base or thin pastry dough
- 150 g sobrasada
- 2 or 3 ramallet tomatoes
- 100 g Mahón cheese
- 30 g almonds
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Method
- Spread the dough over a baking tray. Lightly prick it with a fork to prevent it from rising too much during baking.
- Slice the ramallet tomatoes thinly and arrange them over the dough. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Scatter the sobrasada in small pieces over the entire surface. There is no need to cover the coca completely: it will melt slightly during baking and spread its flavour across the dough.
- Place the coca in a preheated oven at 200°C for approximately 15–20 minutes, until the dough is golden and crisp.
- Once out of the oven, add the Mahón cheese in slices or pieces and finish with the lightly chopped almonds.
- Allow the coca to cool and serve at room temperature.
Ramaders tip: if you want to prepare it in advance, you can keep it in the refrigerator and take it out a few minutes before serving. This will allow its aromas and flavours to come through better.
Remember that you can shop in our stores or online, with home delivery throughout Mallorca, the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain.
