subject: The Truth About Bbq Sauce [print this page] Barbecue sauces have a uniquely Southern and Western U.S. history. Many experts agree that the practice of incorporating sauce and spices to meat and fish started early in our history, with Native Americans teaching the art to early European settlers. The natives probably developed the process as part of an attempt to keep meats and fish from spoiling quickly. Salt played a major role in those early barbecue sauces, and salt is a well-known preservative in the meat curing process.
Because the nations first European arrivals lived on the East Coast of America, that part of the country is credited with spawning the original barbecue sauce styles. First and foremost, there are the various Carolina barbecue sauces. The most well known are East Carolina, Piedmont, and South Carolina varieties. East Carolina barbecue sauce consists of vinegar, salt, black pepper, and crushed or ground cayenne peppers. It is a very easy sauce that penetrates the meat nicely for a deep flavor. Piedmont barbecue sauce only varies from East Carolina in that it frequently includes molasses or Worcestershire sauce and hence sticks to the meat much more. South Carolina sauce is entirely different, using a mustard base rather, creating a much tangier and sharp flavor.
Then there is Memphis or Southern style barbecue sauce. This popular variety is typically much more complex (flavor-wise) and is built around mustard, tomato, and vinegar. Fans frequently point towards the boldness of these flavor mixtures as the hallmark of Memphis barbecue sauce. A saying often heard amongst hungry connoisseurs is no two bites alike.
Continuing our trek westward, we come to the recognized center of the barbecue universe Kansas City! Kansas City barbecue sauce is distinguished by its noticeably thicker consistency and focus on sweetness. That is simply because this style of sauce is built upon thick tomato sauce, chunks of vegetables, and lots of sugar. Many well-liked commercial brands are based on this Kansas City recipe. It's most popular among amateur backyard grillers simply because of the supply in supermarkets (Kraft, Heinz, K.C.s Masterpiece, and so on.). And also simply because the thick sauce could be applied just once and enough will remain in place to please the happy recipients of the grilled meat.
Lastly, there are the 'Texas' barbecue sauce styles. Now, Texas is one big state, and there are several regional varieties within it. The most typical include thick and spicy sauces which are basically spicier variations on the Kansas City sauces. These are found mainly in the north and east sections of the state (Dallas). In western Texas, thinner sauces that feature hot peppers can be found. These sauces are frequently included simply at the very end of the barbecuing or grilling process. After which, in southern Texas, the barbecue sauce of choice features a focus on Mexican spices and, of course, jalapeno peppers! Make certain to have a cold beverage handy to put out the fire!
