Bloom

[bones1948]

What exactly does letting a smoked summer sausage bloom.  I have read where after I take the summer sausage out of the smoker and give it a cold water bath to lay it at room temperature for anywhere from 3 to 9 hours.  What takes place when you let it bloom?  What happens the longer you let it bloom?  What is the correct length of time to let it bloom?

Bones

 

[woodcutter]

The casings dry off and get a little darker and the seasonings do their final mingling in the sausage. I normally let them hang 1-2 hours.