What is Breakfast Bacon? A Guide to This Quintessential Morning Meat

Crispy savory and oh so tasty, breakfast bacon is a staple that kickstarts mornings across North America. But what exactly makes bacon a breakfast food? Is all bacon created equal when it comes to the first meal of the day? Let’s dive into the world of breakfast bacon to find out what sets it apart.

Defining Breakfast Bacon

Breakfast bacon refers to bacon that is typically thinner and cooked until crispy, perfect for serving at breakfast time. It differs from other types of bacon like thick-cut or slab bacon that are designed for cooking methods like baking or grilling.

There are a few key characteristics that set breakfast bacon apart:

• Cut – Breakfast bacon is sliced thin, usually less than 1/8 inch thick. This allows it to cook up nice and crispy.

• Source – Most breakfast bacon comes from pork belly, the fatty underside of a pig. This provides great flavor.

• Curing – Breakfast bacon is cured, a process of preserving and flavoring the meat with a mixture of salt, spices, sugar, and nitrates.

• Smoking – Many types of breakfast bacon are smoked after curing to add flavor. Applewood and hickory are common wood smokes

• Flavor – Breakfast bacon tends to be saltier and smokier compared to other types. The thin slices deliver concentrated taste.

• Texture – Cooking yields crispy, crunchy bacon perfect for breakfast dishes and snacks.

The Origins of Eating Bacon for Breakfast

Bacon has been around for centuries, but its tag as a breakfast food is relatively modern. Some key moments helped transform bacon into the breakfast staple it is today:

• 1800s – Meat curing advances made bacon accessible for everyday people. Before this, it was mainly reserved for the upper class.

• 1920s – PR campaigns by companies like Beech-Nut and Oscar Mayer positioned bacon and eggs as the perfect breakfast.

• 1940s – Wartime rationing increased demand and made bacon a delicacy. Its popularity soared after WWII.

• 1960s – Fast food chains featured bacon as part of signature breakfast sandwiches and dishes.

• 1980s-90s – Low-carb diets like Atkins spurred higher consumption of fatty breakfast meats like bacon.

So while bacon has been on breakfast plates since the 19th century, it really gained momentum as the preferred morning protein in the early 20th century.

Different Types of Breakfast Bacon

There are a few main varieties of breakfast bacon worth knowing:

• Regular – This refers to classic thin-sliced breakfast bacon made from pork belly. It’s the most common type you’ll find.

• Thick-cut – Slightly thicker slices give you more meaty bacon in each bite. Brands like Wright and Hormel Black Label offer thick-cut bacon.

• Applewood or hickory smoked – These types of wood are most commonly used to smoke breakfast bacon, adding deeper flavor.

• Peppered – Bacon cured with spices like cracked black pepper deliver a little kick.

• Maple-flavored – Sweet maple sugar balances the saltiness in this breakfast bacon variety.

Outside of pork, you can also find turkey bacon and beef bacon as alternative breakfast proteins.

Tips for Cooking Breakfast Bacon Perfectly

Cooking breakfast bacon that’s just the right amount of crispy without burning takes some finesse. Here are tips for bacon perfection:

• Start with good quality, fresh bacon. Look for even color and minimal white fat.

• Cook on medium to medium low heat. Too high of heat makes bacon curl up.

• Put bacon slices in a cold pan, then heat. This prevents sticking.

• Fry bacon flat so more surface area crisps up.

• Turn frequently and move pieces around.

• Remove just before it reaches desired crispness. It will continue cooking.

• Blot grease with paper towels. Let cool slightly before eating.

With the right techniques, you can achieve bacon bliss!

Creative Ways to Serve Breakfast Bacon

Beyond just eating strips of breakfast bacon, there are all kinds of fun ways to serve it in the AM:

• Bacon egg cups – Line muffin tins with bacon and crack an egg inside for perfect breakfast bites.

• Bacon pancake dippers – Make pancakes, cut into strips, then use them to dip into maple syrup mixed with crumbled bacon.

• Loaded bacon home fries – Fry potatoes in bacon fat, then top with cheese, bacon, scallions, and sour cream.

• Bacon milkshake – Blend milk, ice cream, maple syrup, and candied bacon for a sweet and salty treat.

• Bacon breakfast burrito – Wrap eggs, cheese, potatoes, and bacon in a tortilla for an easy hand-held breakfast.

With bacon’s versatility, the possibilities are endless!

Tips for Buying and Storing Breakfast Bacon

To get the best tasting breakfast bacon:

• Check expiration dates and choose packages with the latest dates.

• Look for bacon without many white fat streaks, which can taste bitter.

• Opt for thicker slices if you prefer more meaty bacon that crisps up well.

• Store unopened bacon in the original packaging in the fridge.

• Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and use within 5-7 days.

• For longer storage, freeze bacon for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Proper storage keeps your bacon fresh and flavorful.

The Wide World of Breakfast Bacon

While America and Canada are big on bacon for breakfast, it’s also enjoyed around the globe:

• In England, back bacon taken from pork loin is preferred over streaky belly bacon.

• Germans slice their bacon extra thick and love it with bread, eggs, and cheese.

• Italians use thin pancetta bacon in dishes like spaghetti carbonara and on pizzas.

• Mexico has its own take with tocino, a cured bacon made from pork belly or thighs and tailored to Mexican cuisine.

• Japan makes bacon even better by sprinkling it with brown sugar and black pepper before broiling.

No matter how you slice it, bacon is a cherished breakfast tradition around the world!

So next time you wake up craving that perfect balance of salty, savory, smoky, and sweet, go ahead and indulge in a slice (or three) of breakfast bacon. It’s the cure for any morning blues!