Article Overview: This article dives into what bacon is, where it comes from, and how its made. The article also talks about both the old-fashioned way of making bacon and the modern industrial way.
Bacon has always been a breakfast favorite and a great way to add flavor to many different foods. This versatile red meat will stay popular for a long time because it tastes rich and salty and is crispy and melts in your mouth.
Even for the bacon-lovers among us, you may not know what exactly bacon is and how it’s made. At S. By Clyde Weaver, we’re really interested in tasty cured meats and the old ways of making them, so we’re going to take some time to talk about what makes bacon that tasty meat we all know and love, as well as what the different labels on bacon mean.
We’ll see that not all bacon has the same high quality and great taste that your ancestors used to enjoy, but some companies like S Clyde Weaver are still committed to producing amazing bacon the traditional way.
Bacon has been popular for centuries, especially in the West. Pig breeding used to happen at certain times of the year. For example, piglets were born in the spring and grew fat as they got older until they were ready to be killed at the end of the year. Because pork could be cured to make ham, bacon, and other foods, it was a good and tasty way for families to get through the winter. In spite of modern refrigeration methods, people today still enjoy cured pork, including bacon.
Real bacon is made from pork, but there are some specialty products like turkey bacon that try to look like regular pork bacon. Bacon isn’t limited to a certain cut of meat like some other types of pork you might buy at the butcher or grocery store. The belly, back, or sides of a pig are all good places for bacon—basically anywhere with a lot of fat. In the UK, back bacon is the most common type. In the US, “streaky” bacon, also called side bacon, is more common. It is cut from pork belly.
People could buy pork belly, loin, or sides straight from the pig to cook, or they could buy bacon that hasn’t been cured yet so that people can cure it their own way. You have to cure the meat in a certain way before it can be made into bacon. We’ll go over that process in more detail in a moment.
Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods worldwide But where does it really come from? A common myth suggests that some bacon contains dog meat Is there any truth to this urban legend? Let’s explore the facts behind what bacon is made of,
The Origins of Bacon
Bacon refers to pork belly that has been cured smoked and sliced. It originated as a way to preserve meat before refrigeration.
Pork belly was rubbed with salt, spices, and saltpeter to extract moisture. This created an inhospitable environment for bacteria. Smoking further dehydrated and cooked the meat while adding flavor.
Traditionally, bacon came from the belly of pigs. But today there are bacons made from other meats as well. Turkey, beef, lamb, bison, and even veggie bacon provide more options.
Does Bacon Contain Dog Meat?
There is an urban myth that cheap bacon sold in some countries contains dog meat. However, there is no evidence this claim is true.
In the United States, bacon is considered a pork product by the USDA. Commercial bacon brands do not secretly substitute in other meats without declaring them.
Some key facts:
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U.S. regulations require listing ingredients on packaging. Any non-pork ingredients would be labeled.
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Pork bellies are already very cheap, making dog meat an unlikely replacement.
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DNA testing shows commercial bacon products only contain pork.
While it’s theoretically possible trace amounts of other meats could get mixed in during processing, there is no proof of large-scale dog meat usage.
Bacon Varieties Beyond Pork
While traditional bacon contains cured pork, many other bacons are now available:
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Turkey bacon – Typically made from turkey thighs. Provides a leaner alternative to pork bacon.
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Beef bacon – Uses beef brisket. Provides a rich, beefy flavor.
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Lamb bacon – Made from lamb belly. Has a strong lamb taste.
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Vegan bacon – Made from soy, tempeh, seitan, or coconut. Mimics bacon flavoring.
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Duck or goose bacon – Provides a fatty, savory flavor from the darker poultry meat.
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Vegetable bacon – Uses ingredients like eggplant or carrots to recreate the crunchy, salty taste.
So while pig remains the most popular, you can find bacon from many different proteins and plants.
Controversies Around Dog Meat Consumption
Eating dog meat is taboo in Western cultures. But it does occur in some Asian countries. This fuels the mythology that dog could end up in bacon.
However, the dog meat trade focuses on breeds specifically raised for consumption. It does not rely on random stray animals or pet dogs.
Some key considerations on dog meat:
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Consuming dog meat is legal in China, Vietnam, and South Korea among other Asian countries. But the practice is declining.
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Dogs killed for meat are not typical house pets. They are special breeds farmed for food production only.
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Eating dog is considered more taboo in younger generations. The practice is becoming less common over time.
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Pet theft for meat does occur in parts of Asia. But it represents a small share of the overall dog meat trade.
While the dog meat industry has serious ethical concerns, it does not provide evidence that bacon contains dog.
Health and Sustainability Impacts of Pork Production
The pork industry has its own impacts on health and the environment:
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Antibiotics – Routine antibiotic use in pigs contributes to drug resistance. Look for antibiotic-free brands.
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Nitrates – Bacon is cured with nitrates that may be linked to cancer. Celery powder is sometimes used instead.
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Mistreatment – Factory farming practices lead to cramped, inhumane conditions for pigs. Seek out humane certified pork.
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Pollution – Waste from large pork farms can contaminate waterways and groundwater. Smaller scale farms have less impact.
When choosing bacon and pork products, consider how they were raised, processed, and sourced. Pastured pork or grass-fed beef bacon offer benefits over factory farmed.
The Bottom Line
While urban legends claim bacon contains dog meat, there is no factual basis for this rumor. Commercial bacon sold worldwide comes from cured pork belly, or occasionally other meats like turkey, lamb, or beef.
However, consumers should be aware of legitimate ethical and environmental issues in the pork industry. Seeking out sustainably raised varieties is better for your health and the planet.
The Traditional Bacon-Making Process
What is the traditional way to cure bacon? It starts with a fresh cut of pork and ends with a tasty, long-lasting meat. Raw bacon is rubbed with salt and other spices, which gives it flavor and cures the meat over a week or two. In some cases, sugar is added to the dry rub for some sweetness. This method is known as dry curing since you don’t add any liquid during the curing process.
Most of the time, bacon that has been cured is rinsed off, dried, and then put in a smoker to keep it fresh and add flavor. Typically, the smoking process happens at a low heat, enough to flavor the bacon without cooking it. Whether you use applewood, hickory, cherry, or any other type of smoke wood chips in the smoker, they can give the food a certain flavor. Sometimes, dry-cured bacon is hung out in the cold for weeks or even months to dry out without being smoked.
Dry-cured bacon tends to have a more robust flavor than wet-cured bacon, which we’ll discuss next. Dry curing is the time-honored method for curing bacon, so traditional types of bacon are generally dry-cured. This process is more time-consuming, though, so it has become increasingly rare in the U. S. today. You can still get traditional dry-cured bacon, however, from artisanal companies like S. Clyde Weaver.
Hardwood Smoked Bacon
Remember, just because bacon tastes smoky, that doesn’t necessarily mean it was smoked. Most of the time, liquid smoke is added to commercial bacon and heated in an oven to make it taste like smoked bacon without actually smoking it.
If, on the other hand, bacon says “hardwood smoked,” it means it was really smoked over burning hardwood chips in the traditional way. Labels may sometimes say what kind of wood was used, since wood chips of different types can slightly change the taste. Another label you might see is “naturally smoked,” which means the same thing as hardwood smoked. If you’re looking for bonafide bacon, choose hardwood smoked varieties.
How It’s Actually Made – Bacon
FAQ
What is bacon made of?
What animal products are in bacon?
Is there bacon from other animals?
Is bacon 100% pig?
Is Bacon made from dog meat?
Bacon is traditionally made from pork, specifically the belly, back, or sides of a pig. Other types of bacon, such as turkey bacon, may be made from different animals, but they are always clearly labeled as such. The idea that bacon is made from dog meat likely stems from a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
Can dogs eat bacon?
While it is true that some cultures do consume dog meat, it is not a common ingredient in any type of bacon. The history of bacon dates back thousands of years, with the Chinese being credited as the first to cure pork bellies with salt, creating an early form of bacon.
Is Bacon made from pork?
While true bacon is made from pork, you may have seen or tried other types of “bacon” that come from different animals. The most common non-pork bacon is turkey bacon. This product was created to be a leaner alternative to bacon.
What is real bacon?
With the exception of specialty products like turkey bacon that seek to imitate traditional pork bacon, real bacon is made from pork. Unlike some other types of pork you might purchase from the butcher or supermarket, bacon isn’t defined by being from a specific cut of meat.
Where does Bacon come from?
Bacon can come from a pig’s belly, back or sides — essentially anywhere that has an exceptionally high fat content. In the United Kingdom, back bacon is most common, but Americans are more familiar with “streaky” bacon, also known as side bacon, which is cut from pork belly.
How is Bacon made?
While some commercially-produced bacon may contain other additives or fillers, traditional bacon is made from just a few simple ingredients. By varying the source and proportions of these ingredients, bacon makers can achieve a wide range of flavors and textures. There are two primary methods for producing bacon: dry curing and wet curing.