Nitrate is the key curing ingredient through its ability to produce nitrosomyoglobin, the distinctive pink colour pigment of cured meats (Pegg, 2004). However, NaCl is the most important functional ingredient (Feiner, 2006). NaCl alters the meat structure leading to greater water entrapment within the myofibril, thereby enhancing water holding capacity (WHC). This will affect the sensory properties of flavour, juiciness and tenderness.