where is appleton farms bacon made

Exploring the Origins: Where is Appleton Farms Bacon Made?

Crispy, smoky, delicious bacon is a staple breakfast food for many Americans. While most major grocery stores carry mass-produced bacon brands, some discerning shoppers seek out premium artisanal bacons like Appleton Farms But where exactly is this tasty Appleton Farms bacon made?

In this article, we’ll trace the roots of Appleton Farms bacon, examine what makes it special, and look at how it goes from farm to plate.

Introducing Appleton FarmsApplewood Smoked Bacon from Appleton Farms has earned a reputation as one of the best premium bacons available. The Appleton Farms brand is owned by Crown Pork a family-run Iowa company specializing in handcrafted charcuterie and sausage.

Unlike giant industrial bacon operations, Appleton Farms practices traditional curing methods in a small-batch process. They use only premium ingredients like pork from heritage-breed pigs, real Vermont maple syrup, and natural spices. No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are added.

This artisanal approach and attention to detail is what sets Appleton Farms bacon apart. But to understand what makes their bacon so uniquely delicious, we must first look at where it comes from.

Exploring the Roots of Appleton Farms

So where is Appleton Farms bacon made? As the name suggests, the roots of Appleton Farms date back to the picturesque farmland of Appleton, Wisconsin.

In 1932, Peter C. Thompson founded Appleton Farms as a traditional Midwest pork farm. Over the following decades, the Thompson family continued raising heritage-breed pigs sustainably on pasture. The farm’s pristine red barns became iconic in Appleton.

In 2004, the Thompson family made the difficult decision to sell the property as encroaching development threatened their way of life. It was purchased by Lawrence and Rosie Cunningham, who vowed to honor the legacy of Appleton Farms.

The Crawfords eventually relocated the brand to Iowa while staying committed to traditional techniques. More than just a nod to the past, the Appleton Farms name represents heritage and craftsmanship.

What Makes Appleton Farms Bacon Special?

So what accounts for that distinctive Appleton Farms flavor? There are a few key factors:

• Heritage Breed Pork – Appleton Farms uses only premium cuts from heritage hog breeds like Duroc, Chester White, and Berkshire raised humanely outdoors.

• Traditional Curing – Appleton Farms hand rubs pork bellies with natural spices and real Vermont maple syrup before smoking over natural hardwoods. No artificial shortcuts.

• Small Batch – Bacon is cured in small batches and cut and packaged by hand for consistency and love. High-volume production is avoided.

• Wood Smoking – Applewood smoke provides unmatched savory flavor as the final touch. It’s a legacy method dating back to Appleton Farms’ roots.

• The Best Ingredients – From the certified humane pork to the real maple syrup, only high-quality ingredients are used. No fillers, artificial flavors, or substitutes.

The time-honored farming and curing practices pay off in the form of incredibly rich, nuanced bacon flavor. Appleton Farms truly embodies a heritage craft spirit in every hand-cut slice.

From Farm to Plate: How Appleton Farms Bacon Is Made

So how does this premium artisanal bacon go from farm to table? Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. The process starts by raising heritage breed pigs humanely outdoors or in deeply bedded pens at partner family farms in the Midwest. Proper diet, space and low-stress handling are essential.

2. Only the highest quality fresh pork bellies are selected for Appleton Farms bacon. They are shipped to the Appleton Farms curing facility in Iowa.

3. There, pork bellies are hand-rubbed with a blend of natural spices and real Vermont maple syrup. No shortcuts like injections or artificial curing.

4. Bellies cure for at least 14 days to fully absorb flavors and develop that signature reddish-pink tint. Patience is key.

5. Cured bellies get placed in small batch smokehouses fueled by natural hardwoods like applewood, hickory, or oak. This imparts rich smoky flavor.

6. The smoked pork bacon is hand-sliced and packaged carefully to maintain integrity. Every slice should look artisanal.

7. The finished bacon is shipped refrigerated to select premium grocery stores, butcher shops, and restaurants around the U.S. Quick nationwide distribution ensures freshness.

8. Discerning bacon lovers wake up to the joys of chef-crafted Appleton Farms bacon on their breakfast table!

It’s a time-intensive process completely hands-on from pig farm to package. But this meticulous attention to detail and tradition is how Appleton Farms is keeping heritage bacon craft alive.

Why Buying Local Bacon Matters

Appleton Farms’ Iowa facility sources most pork from farms in surrounding Midwest states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana. Buying bacon produced locally offers several advantages:

Supporting Local Farmers – Dollars stay in the local economy and support family-run farms. The pork likely comes from within few hundred miles.

Lower Emissions – With reduced transportation miles, the carbon footprint of local bacon is lower.

Regional Flavor – Midwest farmers tend to raise heritage hog breeds that impart regional flavor notes. Appleton Farms has adapted their cure to highlight this.e Sourcing – Nearby farms can be visited to ensure humane practices. Large national suppliers are hard to monitor effectively.

Farm to Table Fresh – With bacon cured, smoked and sliced regionally, the steps from pig to package are minimized.

Local sourcing also providestransparency and traceabilityfor consumers who want to know where their food comes from.

Why Appleton Farms Stands Out

In a sea of mass-produced bacon pumped out by giant meat companies, Appleton Farms remains dedicated to the disappearing art of traditional charcuterie. They could take shortcuts to lower costs and speed production, but instead stay committed to quality.

Each step in their process honors the heritage of Appleton Farms back to family farms in rural Wisconsin. From humanely raised heritage hogs, to patient hand-curing methods dating back generations, Appleton Farms valiantly keeps the craft alive.

The proof is undeniable in the exceptionally rich, nuanced flavor. Aficionados say the smoky, spice-infused smell and taste of Appleton Farms bacon is beyond compare. Just one slice will make believers out of skeptics.

If you appreciate supporting artisans who respect time-honored techniques, Appleton Farms heritage bacon deserves a spot in your kitchen. Taste the heritage.