Burgers' Smokehouse

Just South of California, Missouri is a great place to visit. The Burger clan has located their meat processing and smokehouse there. 

In addition to selling a large selection of smoked hams, bacon, ribs, chicken, turkey, cheeses and sausage they have an entryway to their sales facility that includes a well done series of dioramas highlighting the seasons and animals of Missouri.

If you are there at the right time you can enjoy the smell of meats smoking.   

They sell their products online and much can be learned about smoking meats from reading their website - https://www.smokehouse.com/

A short trip down a tree lined drive takes you to the retail sales store

The Burger Smokehouse retail facility

Smokehouse

Entry to the sales store with dioramas along the way

A fox is his native environment

This animated figure welcomes you

Flowing waterfalls give a peaceful sound

Corporate Office

This display explains the construction of the dioramas

Julie shopping

We have learned about the differing means of smoking hams. The folks at the smokehouse store will explain their various offerings, but the following description copied from their website summarizes it well.

"Country hams are produced using traditional dry-curing methods. The cure is applied to the surface of the ham in dry form and is allowed to penetrate into the ham naturally over time. The result of the drying and aging process creates a robust, pronounced flavor and a firm texture. Some people who are salt conscious may find the saltier nature of country ham to be objectionable, but to the enthusiast, there is no substitute. Country hams may be purchased cooked or uncooked and may or may not be smoked. (See below)

City hams are produced using modern moist-curing methods. The cure is injected into the ham in a brine form. The process takes much less time compared to that of country ham. The result is a moist and tender ham that is characterized by its sweet flavor.  Although milder than country ham, the flavor of the city ham is not bland and may actually be considered bold compared to a water-added grocery store ham. City hams are cooked and smoked using natural hickory sawdust."