When it comes to gourmet sausage, bratwurst, and kielbasa, there’s almost no way to have a preference. They’re all delicious, and it’s easy to get them confused. Use this guide to distinguish between the three.

Sausage

Sausage is a category of meat products that combines minced or ground meats with other herbs and spices to create a range of flavors. Therefore, sausage is the umbrella term that houses bratwurst, kielbasa, and other gourmet sausages.

Sausage is typically made with ground beef, pork, veal, turkey, and chicken. You can also find some made of lamb, venison, reindeer, and elk. There are three main ways to make sausages — dried, smoked, or fresh — each of which has a profound effect on the flavor.

Dried sausages rarely have casings and can usually be sliced and eaten without preparation. Think salami, pepperoni, and chorizo. This type was created before the refrigerator was invented, so many dried sausage products don’t require refrigeration. Smoked sausages are fully cooked and then smoked to enhance the flavor. Kielbasa falls under this category, as does andouille sausage. Fresh sausages are made from meats that haven’t been cured. They must be refrigerated and thoroughly cooked before consuming. Breakfast links, sausage patties, and Italian sausages are examples.

Bratwurst

These German gourmet sausages are most notably seasoned with spices like nutmeg, ginger, caraway, and sage. They’re most popular for backyard gatherings and football tailgate parties. Bratwurst is versatile; eat it plain, fill it with cheese and peppers, or even cook it in beer. You might also use it to compose a full dinner, like bratwurst tetrazzini.

Kielbasa

As explained above, kielbasa is a smoked sausage. Its Polish roots differentiate this gourmet sausage from other smoked varieties. It’s a staple ingredient for Polish sausage soup and is only lightly smoked to not give off an overwhelming smokey flavor. Kielbasa has a distinct garlic taste along with other flavorings like smoke, cloves, pimentos, and marjoram. It’s the perfect option to add to a gourmet gift package.

If you’re looking for tasty gourmet sausages, smoked salmon, smoked seafood, and more, check out Alaska Sausage & Seafood based in Anchorage, AK. Since 1963, this company has been providing freshly processed smoked sausages and Wild Alaskan smoked seafood products. To purchase a gourmet gift package, visit them online or contact their customer service department at (907) 562-3636.