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As someone who loves indulging in a hearty breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and of course, bacon, I’m always interested in discovering new bacon brands. Recently, I came across Spalding bacon at my local grocery store. Spalding – isn’t that a sports equipment company? I wondered who exactly makes this bacon bearing the name of a brand not typically associated with cured pork. My curiosity was piqued, so I decided to dig into the history of Spalding and how they entered the bacon market.
Spalding is indeed primarily known for manufacturing sports balls, gloves, and other athletic gear. The company was founded way back in 1876 by baseball pioneer Albert Spalding. They started out producing baseballs and bats, later expanding into basketballs, golf clubs, and more. But it turns out Spalding has dabbled in some unexpected industries over the years, including defense manufacturing during WWII and automotive wheels in the 1980s. At some point, they decided to try their hand at selling bacon as well.
Unfortunately, details are scarce about when and how Spalding entered the bacon business. It likely was a move to diversify their product portfolio beyond sports equipment, capitalizing on the consumer demand for higher quality bacon options. While Spalding has built a reputation for quality in other markets, their bacon has received mixed reviews. Some praise its flavor and Canadian origin, while others criticize the irregular cut and taste.
Reading online comments, it seems perceptions of Spalding bacon run the gamut. One reviewer called it the “nastiest bacon I’ve ever tasted”, while another said it was “pretty damn good.” Since taste is subjective, it’s hard to say whether Spalding bacon deserves its polarizing reviews. Factors like where the pigs were raised, differences in curing processes, and personal preferences may all play a role.
In scanning Spalding bacon packages, I didn’t see any signs of special ingredients or artisanal techniques to distinguish it from other commercial bacons. It doesn’t appear to be smoked or advertised as coming from heritage breeds. However, Spalding’s long history does suggest they would bring quality control to their bacon production, even if their processes aren’t markedly different.
While Spalding bacon remains somewhat of an enigma, it does seem targeted towards bacon lovers seeking something new. Its unique wild boar meat likely provides a more robust flavor profile. And as someone who appreciates Canadian bacon, I’m inclined to give it a try myself despite the mixed reviews. Spalding may not have the artisanal credibility of a Nueske’s or other gourmet bacon brand, but it’s an interesting twist on a breakfast staple from an unexpected source. Even if it’s not the best bacon I’ve ever tasted, it will make for an entertaining taste test as I finally solve the mystery of who makes Spalding bacon!
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Ultimate Guide to Bacon: How It’s Made
How many Bacon brands are there?
There are plenty of bacon brands out there to choose from. For this test, our culinary staff fried up eight brands, including mom-and-pop options and the biggest name in the business, in efforts to find brands worthy of being called Test Kitchen-Preferred. In this delicious test, our team judged each strip according to these standards:
Who makes Hicks ham & bacon?
Slow, dry-curing its pork for a tender, juicy bite, the brand was founded in 1947 by Albert H. Hicks and has turned the curing process into an art form. The brand has been celebrated for the unique flavor of its ham and bacon, which is owed to a signature rub that balances sweet, salt, smoke, and spice.
What does Wellshire’s Bacon taste like?
Wellshire’s bacon had an appealing dark, golden brown color. It was cut thick and had crispy edges which I adored. The panel decided that this brand was the most like bacon you’d get from a deli counter. Unlike other brands, it had a strong smoky flavor. Tasters also appreciated that these slices tasted less salty than the others.
Who makes hickory smoked country Bacon?
You’ll get that flavor with Benton’s Hickory Smoked Country Bacon because, well, that’s exactly what Benton’s is. This family-owned business out of Madisonville, Tennessee specializes in slow-cured hams and smokey bacon. These thick-cut rashers deliver big-time on flavor.