Demystifying Artisanal Bacon: A Complete Guide to Understanding This Gourmet Delicacy

Bacon lovers listen up! There’s a new gourmet bacon in town that’s got all the foodies talking – it’s called artisanal bacon As a hardcore bacon fanatic myself, I was super curious to learn what makes this fancy schmancy bacon so dang special. Is it really that much better than plain ol’ regular bacon from the grocery store? Does it live up to the hype? Well, I did a deep dive on all things artisanal bacon, and lemme tell ya – it’s the real deal, folks

In this comprehensive guide, I’m gonna walk ya through everything ya need to know about artisanal bacon so you can decide if it’s worth splurging on. We’ll cover how it’s made, what makes it so delish, where to find it, how to cook it to crispy perfection, and whether it’s really worth the extra cost. Let’s get cookin’!

So What Is Artisanal Bacon Anyway?

Artisanal bacon refers to bacon that is carefully handcrafted in small batches using traditional methods and high quality ingredients. It’s the total opposite of mass produced factory bacon churned out quickly on assembly lines. Artisanal bacon makers put a ton of love and attention into their craft, focusing on things like:

• Using primo heritage breed pigs raised humanely on small family farms – we’re talking premium flavorful pork here folks

• Dry curing the pork for days or even weeks using all natural ingredients like quality salts, sugars, and spices – no weird chemicals.

• Smoking the pork nice and slow over fragrant hardwoods like apple or hickory – none of that fake liquid smoke stuff.

• Making bacon in small batches so they can customize flavors and textures. No mass production here, baby.

• Achieving deep, complex smoky flavors from the quality meats and hands-on process.

• Producing thick, tender slices with the perfect balance of meaty chew and luscious fat. Forget paper thin and brittle.

So in a nutshell, artisanal bacon takes regular ol’ bacon up a notch (or two or three). Keep reading for all the nitty gritty details.

Step-By-Step: How Artisanal Bacon is Made

Making artisanal bacon is an art form that blends science and craftsmanship. Here’s a quick rundown of how it goes down:

1. Start with the good stuff: Artisanal bacon comes from premium heritage breed pigs like Berkshire, Duroc, and Mangalitsa raised humanely on small family farms. Their meat just has more oomph than standard pork. Wild boar bacon is also bomb!

2. Trim the bellies: The pork belly is removed from the hog and trimmed up nice. For killer bacon, you gotta use the fatty belly, not lean back meat.

3. Cure it: The pork belly is dry cured for 1-3 weeks by rubbing it with a mix of quality salts, sugars, and spices. This adds flavor and preserves the meat.

4. Smoke it (optional): Some artisanal bacons are cold smoked before cooking to infuse that sweet, smoky essence. This takes 12-48 hours.

5. Cook it: The pork belly slabs are hot smoked over smoldering apple, hickory, or other choice hardwoods for up to 24 hours until cooked through.

6. Chill, slice, enjoy! Once smoked, the bacon is cooled then hand sliced into premium thick-cut slices ready for frying up.

It’s a time and labor intensive process but so worth it for incredible flavor and texture. Those artisanal bacon makers really earn their bacon!

Why Artisanal Bacon is So Damn Good

There are lots of reasons discerning bacon connoisseurs are willing to fork over more dough for artisanal bacon. Here are some of the highlights:

• Killer depth of flavor – We’re talking complex, savory, smoky flavors not just one note salty. You can actually taste the quality pork and wood smoke.

• Textural perfection – Careful smoking yields tender yet firm meat with a luscious chew and melt-in-your-mouth fat marbling instead of dry, brittle bacon.

• Ethical sourcing – Humanely raised heritage hogs make for tastier and more ethical meat. Bacon karma, baby!

• Minimal processing – No weird preservatives, chemicals, or shortcuts here. Just real, authentic porky flavor.

• Charm factor – Supporting small scale producers and traditional craftsmanship just feels good.

• Customization – Small batches mean makers can get creative with bourbon or coffee flavors beyond basic bacon.

• Scarcity – Produced in limited amounts, artisanal bacon feels special – perfect for gifting to bacon nuts!

Basically, the hands-on attention shows in every succulent bite. Just try it and you’ll be converted!

Where to Get Your Hands on Artisanal Bacon

While it used to be tough to source, artisanal bacon keeps getting more popular and easier to find. Here are some spots to score it:

• Hit up local farmers markets and ask butchers if they make their own.

• Check specialty grocers and gourmet stores for artisanal bacon selections.

• Look for high end butcher shops that work with local bacon crafters.

• Order directly from small scale producers online that ship nationwide.

• Try a monthly artisanal bacon subscription box for tasty deliveries.

I’d suggest reading reviews online to see which mail order bacon brands consistently get rave reviews for premium flavor and texture. Can you say bacon of the month club?

Cooking and Serving Artisanal Bacon Right

When you’re working with artisanal bacon, you’ll wanna highlight that smoky, porky flavor and luxe texture. Here are some pro chef tips:

• Cook it slowly over medium-low heat to render the fat without burning.

• Bake it in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes for even crispiness.

• Opt for pan frying, baking, or gentle grilling – skip the microwave.

• Use it in salads, sandwiches, baked potatoes to let the bacon flavor shine through.

• Incorporate jam or bits into meats, pizza, pasta for a bacon bump not more strips.

• Crumble it into biscuits, muffins, cornbread for a savory kick.

• Wrap scallops or shrimp in a strip of bacon for an app conveying pure bacon essence.

• Candy bacon bits in brown sugar and spices for a slammin’ garnish.

• Save the rendered bacon fat for cooking – waste not, want not!

Just remember – with great bacon, comes great responsibility. Everything in moderation, folks.

Is Splurging on Artisanal Bacon Worth It?

At around $15 per pound, artisanal bacon costs a good bit more than regular grocery store bacon. But is it worth the extra cash? In my opinion – heck yes, but only for special occasions or as an occasional treat. Here’s the sitch:

• Worth it for bacon fanatics – They’ll nerd out over every subtle nuance and appreciate the quality.

• Worth it as a gift – Makes a thoughtful gourmet gift for the bacon lover in your life.

• Worth it for special meals – Adds a lil somethin’ extra special to brunches, breakfasts, and holidays.

• Maybe not everyday bacon – As amazing as it is, it’s still just bacon. Save it for treats, not daily diets.

• Maybe go in with friends – Split a variety pack with buddies to try different kinds.

• Sacrifice quantity for quality – Savor the sublime flavor in small doses.

At the end of the day, artisanal bacon is a premium product priced accordingly. But one taste of that tender, smoky meat will have you hooked. For me, it’s definitely worth the occasional splurge! But you do you.

FAQs About Artisanal Bacon

Alright, let’s wrap this baby up by answering some common questions about artisanal bacon:

What’s the difference between artisanal and regular bacon?

Artisanal is carefully crafted in small batches from quality pork using traditional hands-on methods for premium flavor and texture. Regular bacon is mass produced quickly in factories.

Is artisanal bacon healthier than regular bacon?

It can be due to less processing and higher quality ingredients, but all bacon should be enjoyed in moderation, folks.

How long does artisanal bacon last?

About 1 week in the fridge, 1 month in the freezer thanks to the curing.

Can you make artisanal bacon at home?

You sure can! With practice, patience, and high quality pork, you can totally craft your