What Is Artisanal Bacon? A Detailed Look at This Gourmet Delicacy

Artisanal bacon has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people discover its unique flavor and texture. But what exactly makes artisanal bacon different from regular store-bought bacon? In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at how artisanal bacon is made, what sets it apart and where you can find it.

How Artisanal Bacon Is Made

The first and most important difference between artisanal and regular bacon is the process used to cure and smoke it Artisanal bacon is carefully crafted by hand using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations,

Selecting the Pork Belly

It all starts with selecting high quality pork belly from heritage breed pigs. These pigs are raised on small family farms, fed vegetarian diets, and allowed to roam freely. This results in pork bellies that have deep flavor and excellent marbling. Many artisanal bacon producers use rare heritage breeds like Berkshire, Tamworth, and Red Wattle.

Dry Curing

Next, the pork belly is dry cured by hand-rubbing a mixture of salt, spices, and sometimes sugar directly onto the meat. Typical ingredients include black pepper, paprika, garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, and bourbon. No water is added during dry curing, allowing the bacon to retain its natural size once smoked. The pork belly cures for 5-14 days depending on the desired flavor profile.

Cold Smoking

After curing, the pork belly is smoked slowly over low heat using hardwoods like hickory, apple, cherry, and oak. Cold smoking occurs below 90°F and can last up to 24 hours. This infuses the bacon with rich, smoky flavor while keeping it tender. Artisanal bacon is never smoked using artificial liquid smoke.

Slicing and Packaging

Finally, the bacon is sliced by hand into thick-cut slices and packaged. Great care is taken in handling and slicing the bacon to ensure uniformity and avoid crumbling. Each step is done in small batches by skilled artisans dedicated to their craft.

What Makes Artisanal Bacon Special

Beyond the traditional craftsmanship used to produce artisanal bacon, there are several key characteristics that set it apart from mass-produced bacon.

Incredible Flavor Depth

The most noticeable difference eating artisanal bacon is the deep, complex flavor. The flavor develops slowly during the long cure and smoke, yielding bacon with multiple flavor notes ranging from the pork itself to the woodsmoke and any spices used.

Tender and Juicy Texture

Thanks to the gentle smoking method, artisanal bacon retains much more moisture than commercial bacon. It has a luscious, meaty texture with plenty of juiciness in each bite. The fat has a smooth, delicate mouthfeel.

Aroma and Appearance

One whiff of sizzling artisanal bacon will make your mouth water. It has a pronounced smoky aroma and attractive mahogany color from the lengthy smoking process. Each slice looks carefully prepared by hand.

Local and Sustainable

Most artisanal bacon comes from small regional producers dedicated to their craft. The pork is pasture-raised, allowing the pigs to engage in natural behaviors. Artisanal bacon is the opposite of factory farming.

Where To Buy Artisanal Bacon

While artisanal bacon costs more than commercial bacon, it’s worth splurging on for a special treat. Here are some places to find it:

Farmers Markets

Check your local farmers market for regional bacon artisans. You can try samples, talk to the producer, and take home bacon sliced right in front of you.

Butcher Shops

Many local butcher shops source premium artisanal bacon to sell alongside their hand-cut meats. A good butcher can recommend a flavor profile based on your tastes.

Online Mail Order

Several artisanal bacon companies sell online directly to consumers. This allows you to try bacon from crafters around the country delivered right to your doorstep.

Specialty Grocery Stores

Upscale grocery stores like Whole Foods often carry select artisanal bacon brands both pre-sliced or behind the butcher counter. Read labels closely to separate true artisanal from mass-produced.

Cooking and Serving Artisanal Bacon

Artisanal bacon brings gourmet flavor to everything from breakfast plates to baked goods. Here are a few serving ideas to inspire you:

• Fry artisanal bacon low and slow in its own fat in a cast iron skillet. The resulting crispy bacon strips make the perfect BLT.

• Weave strips of bacon into a lattice pattern atop meatloaf or casseroles for a smoky, salty crust.

• Crumble artisanal bacon over salads, baked potatoes, or soups as a flavorful topping.

• Make baked goods like biscuits, scones, and chocolate chip cookies even more decadent by adding crumbled bacon to the dough.

• For special weekend brunch, use artisanal bacon in place of regular bacon in dishes like eggs benedict.

• Wrap scallops, shrimp, chicken breasts, or roasted vegetables in bacon before grilling or roasting.

As you can see, artisanal bacon deserves a place of honor in your kitchen due to its incredible flavor and craftsmanship. While it costs a bit more than regular bacon, the experience of tasting true traditionally-made bacon is worth it. Seeking out artisanal bacon is a delicious way to support small producers who truly care about their product.