By Chimp & Chilli

At Chimp & Chilli, we’re all about celebrating flavour, craftsmanship, and balance. Yet, few foods divide opinion quite like salami and cured meats. For years, they’ve been unfairly lumped together with ultra-processed meats and labelled “unhealthy.”

The truth? When made properly, with natural ingredients and traditional curing methods, artisan salamis and charcuterie are not only delicious but can also fit beautifully into a healthy, balanced diet.

Let’s cut through the myths — and slice into what really matters.

Not All Cured Meats Are Created Equal

Most of the bad press around processed meats comes from mass-produced supermarket varieties — often made with low-grade meat, artificial preservatives, and hidden sugars.

By contrast, artisan charcuterie (like most of the salamis we carefully select at Chimp & Chilli) is a completely different product:

🐖 High-welfare meat, often from British farms where animals are pasture-raised and naturally fed.
🌿 Natural curing, using sea salt, herbs, spices, and time — not chemical shortcuts.
🍷 Traditional methods, handed down through generations, that allow slow fermentation to develop rich flavour and texture.

This means you’re eating real food — not factory filler.

The Healthy Side of Charcuterie

When eaten in moderation and from the right source, cured meats can offer surprising nutritional benefits:

Protein-rich: A small serving packs a satisfying dose of high-quality protein.
Naturally low-carb: Perfect for those following low-carb or high-protein lifestyles.
Source of B vitamins, iron, and zinc: Important for energy, immunity, and red blood cell formation.
Healthy fats: Especially when made from traditional breeds with natural diets — these fats are far more balanced than industrial alternatives.

It’s About Balance, Not Banishing

We don’t need to give up the foods we love — just choose better versions. Pairing a few slices of handcrafted salami with fresh fruit, good cheese, and a handful of nuts turns a “treat” into a nutritionally balanced plate.

Think of charcuterie the same way you might think of a fine wine or artisan cheese: it’s about quality, portion, and pleasure — not excess.

Provenance & Purity

We stock salamis and cured meats that have been carefully chosen for their provenance and process. We work with trusted UK and European producers who:

Use free-range or native-breed pork and beef
Avoid added nitrates wherever possible
Focus on sustainable, small-batch production

It’s this dedication to sourcing that lets us stand proudly behind every slice.

Charcuterie, the Healthy Way

Here are a few simple tips from our deli counter:
✅ Choose artisan, nitrate-free salamis and hams when you can.
✅ Pair with fresh produce — figs, apples or pickles.
✅ Skip the white baguette and try wholegrain crackers or rye.
✅ Keep portions moderate — 40–60g per person is plenty.
✅ Stay hydrated (with a little sparkling water or kombucha).

Final Thoughts

At Chimp & Chilli, we believe great food should make you feel good, not guilty. So next time you’re building a weekend charcuterie board, remember: it’s not about cutting out cured meats — it’s about choosing better ones.

When we open our doors pop into our deli and ask about our range of artisan British and European salamis, hand-crafted with care, tradition and integrity. We’ll happily guide you through the best combinations for your next board.

Because when you source right, eat mindfully, and savour every bite — good food really is good for you.

The Truth About Salami & Cured Meats: Why Quality Makes All the Difference