Who Makes Jamestown Bacon? A Complete Guide

If you love waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon you’ve probably enjoyed Jamestown bacon at some point. This popular brand of bacon can be found in supermarkets across America. But have you ever wondered exactly who makes this tasty breakfast treat?

In this complete guide, we’ll uncover everything you need to know about Jamestown bacon. We’ll explore the history of the Jamestown brand, look at how the bacon is produced, and reveal where you can find it.

So if you’re hungry for details on this beloved bacon, read on!

A Brief History of Jamestown Bacon

While Jamestown bacon is now made by Smithfield Foods, the history of Jamestown itself plays an important role in the origin of this product.

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America, established in 1607. In 1676, a famous rebellion occurred in Jamestown, led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley. This uprising against the colonial government was called Bacon’s Rebellion.

Bacon and his followers burned much of Jamestown during the rebellion. And while the rebellion did not fully succeed, it led to Governor Berkeley being recalled to England. It was a significant event that highlighted class tensions in early America.

Today, the Jamestown brand pays homage to this important chapter in American history. And Smithfield Foods uses traditional curing and smoking methods to produce bacon with ties to the region’s colonial past.

Who Actually Makes Jamestown Bacon Today?

While the Jamestown name has historic significance, Smithfield Foods in Smithfield, Virginia is the company behind this popular bacon today.

Smithfield Foods is one of the largest pork producers in the world. They have been in business for over 80 years and pride themselves on using high-quality ingredients and time-honored methods for producing their pork products.

The company has a facility in Smithfield, Virginia where Jamestown bacon is processed and packaged. The bacon is made with pork sourced from local farmers who follow Smithfield’s protocols for animal care and sustainability.

Smithfield Foods has a long heritage when it comes to crafting American pork products. So they leverage generations of expertise to make Jamestown bacon stand out from other mass-produced bacons today.

What Makes Jamestown Bacon So Delicious?

There are a few key factors that contribute to the signature flavor of Jamestown bacon:

• Carefully Selected Pork: Smithfield Foods sources their pork from local farmers who humanely raise the animals. They only use premium cuts for Jamestown bacon.

• Traditional Hickory Smoking: Jamestown bacon is smoked low and slow over hickory wood. This imparts a rich, smoky flavor that you just can’t replicate quickly.

• Artisan Curing Process: A special salt curing and seasoning process gives Jamestown bacon balanced hints of sweetness, saltiness, and spice.

• Sustainability: By focusing on renewable energy and waste reduction, Smithfield creates an environmentally-friendly production process.

It’s the combination of premium ingredients, time-honored traditions, and careful commitment to sustainability that makes Jamestown bacon so tasty. Smithfield has mastered the balance of keeping the colonial heritage alive while still evolving with the times.

Step-By-Step: How Jamestown Bacon Is Produced

From farm to table, Jamestown bacon goes through a time-intensive yet rewarding production process. Here are the steps for how this tasty bacon is made:

1. Pork Selection

Only the best pork from local farmers is used for Jamestown bacon. Smithfield Foods sources ethically raised pork and hand selects the prime cuts.

2. Quality Inspection

The pork undergoes thorough inspection at the facility to ensure optimal freshness and adherence to Smithfield’s standards.

3. Trimming & Preparation

Excess fat and skin are trimmed off while the bacon is prepared for the curing process.

4. Curing

The pork is cured using a wet brine technique for up to 2 weeks to add seasoning, saltiness, and preservation.

5. Low & Slow Smoking

Jamestown bacon is smoked for up to 14 hours over hickory wood. This is what gives it the signature smoky flavor.

6. Packaging

After the smoking and cooling process is complete, the bacon is packaged in various cuts and styles.

7. Distribution

Finally, the packaged Jamestown bacon is distributed to grocery stores and markets across the country for us to enjoy!

As you can see, from start to finish, care and time go into crafting Jamestown bacon. It’s this artisanal approach that makes it stand out on store shelves today.

Where Can I Buy Jamestown Bacon?

The good news is Jamestown bacon is widely available at most major grocery chains across the United States. Here are some of the best places to buy it:

• Grocery Stores: Check the bacon section at stores like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Harris Teeter, and more.

• Online: Jamestown bacon can be ordered online from Amazon Fresh, Boxed, Walmart, and other grocery delivery services.

• Butcher Shops: Many local butcher shops and meat markets carry premium brands like Jamestown.

• Smithfield Store: You can visit Smithfield’s company stores in Virginia and North Carolina to buy it directly from the source.

Jamestown makes it easy to get your hands on their bacon, no matter where you live. You can find it pre-packaged at the grocery store or order it online if you want to stock up.

Tasty Jamestown Bacon Recipe Ideas

Once you’ve got that pack of Jamestown bacon, you can start cooking up these delicious recipes:

• Candied Bacon – Coat sliced Jamestown bacon with brown sugar & maple syrup, then bake until caramelized.

• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp – Wrap jumbo shrimp with Jamestown bacon and grill or broil until cooked.

• Bacon Jam – Slow cook bacon bits with onions, garlic, brown sugar & vinegar to make a sweet & savory jam.

• Bacon Fat Fried Rice – Add some smoky flavor to fried rice by cooking it in rendered Jamestown bacon fat.

• Grilled Bacon Burgers – Top your favorite burger recipe with cheese and strips of grilled Jamestown bacon.

With its smoky, full flavor, Jamestown bacon can elevate everything from breakfast plates to burgers. Now that you know who makes this tasty bacon, you can start cooking up delicious Jamestown creations at home.

History, Quality, and Convenience of Jamestown Bacon

When you pick up a pack of Jamestown bacon at the store, you’re not just getting delicious sliced pork – you’re getting generations of smoking and curing expertise. Jamestown bacon has strong roots in American history but is still made today with care and skill.

Smithfield Foods prides itself on using artisanal methods to craft Jamestown bacon while still delivering convenience. The bacon can be found at grocery stores across the country to satisfy bacon lovers everywhere.

So next time you browse the bacon section, look for the Jamestown label. You’ll be taking home the perfect mix of colonial tradition and modern quality that makes this bacon stand out from the rest.