Article Overview: This article dives into what bacon is, where it comes from, and how its made. The article also talks about both the old-fashioned way of making bacon and the modern industrial way.
Bacon has always been a breakfast favorite and a great way to add flavor to many different foods. This versatile red meat will stay popular for a long time because it tastes rich and salty and is crispy and melts in your mouth.
Even for the bacon-lovers among us, you may not know what exactly bacon is and how it’s made. At S. By Clyde Weaver, we’re really interested in tasty cured meats and the old ways of making them, so we’re going to take some time to talk about what makes bacon that tasty meat we all know and love, as well as what the different labels on bacon mean.
We’ll see that not all bacon has the same high quality and great taste that your ancestors used to enjoy, but some companies like S Clyde Weaver are still committed to producing amazing bacon the traditional way.
Bacon has been popular for centuries, especially in the West. Pig breeding used to happen at certain times of the year. For example, piglets were born in the spring and grew fat as they got older until they were ready to be killed at the end of the year. Because pork could be cured to make ham, bacon, and other foods, it was a good and tasty way for families to get through the winter. In spite of modern refrigeration methods, people today still enjoy cured pork, including bacon.
Real bacon is made from pork, but there are some specialty products like turkey bacon that try to look like regular pork bacon. Bacon isn’t limited to a certain cut of meat like some other types of pork you might buy at the butcher or grocery store. The belly, back, or sides of a pig are all good places for bacon—basically anywhere with a lot of fat. In the UK, back bacon is the most common type. In the US, “streaky” bacon, also called side bacon, is more common. It is cut from pork belly.
People could buy pork belly, loin, or sides straight from the pig to cook, or they could buy bacon that hasn’t been cured yet so that people can cure it their own way. You have to cure the meat in a certain way before it can be made into bacon. We’ll go over that process in more detail in a moment.
Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods, adding a savory, smoky flavor to everything from eggs to burgers But an urban legend has persisted that this tasty treat is made from an unsavory source – dog skin. Is there any truth to the myth that bacon comes from man’s best friend? Let’s find out
The Origins of the Rumor
Despite having no evidence to back it up, the belief that bacon is made from dog skin has managed to spread far and wide. Various theories attempt to explain the origins of this myth:
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It may have started as an intentional smear campaign by vegetable oil producers to discredit lard and bacon fat
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Some suggest it was started by animal rights activists to discourage bacon consumption.
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It may have simply arisen from the similarity between pork skin dog treats and bacon.
Whatever the origins, the rumor likely persists because it provokes shock value and taps into anxieties about what goes into processed foods.
Why Bacon Can’t Be Made from Dogs
While an alarming idea, there are several reasons why bacon cannot actually be made from dogs:
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Legal regulations – There are strict laws prohibiting the use of domestic pets in commercial meat or food products.
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Anatomical differences – Dogs have a different skeletal structure and musculature than pigs. Bacon comes from particular cuts of pork belly and sides that dogs simply don’t have.
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Inefficient sourcing – It would be highly inefficient to raise dogs for bacon when pigs produce optimum bacon cuts.
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Lack of commercial precedents or records – There are no records of a dog-bacon product ever existing. All evidence points to pigs as the sole source.
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Ease of detection – It would be easy to detect dog DNA in bacon. No such dog traces have ever been found.
With no evidence of viability, legality, or precedents, it’s clear dogs have never been used as a bacon source.
How Real Bacon Is Produced
To understand why dogs can’t be made into bacon, it helps to understand how real bacon is produced:
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Sourcing – Bacon comes from pork bellies cured and smoked from pigs specifically bred for bacon. Certain heritage hog breeds are ideal.
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Curing – Bellies are injected with a brine solution containing salt, sugars, and nitrates. This cures the meat.
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Smoking – The pork bellies are smoked using fire from hardwoods like hickory. This imparts flavor.
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Slicing – Once cured and smoked, the pork belly is sliced to the desired bacon thickness and package.
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Regulations – Commercial bacon facilities must follow strict state and federal regulations. Only inspected pork products are approved.
As you can see, the real bacon-making process is meticulous, regulated, and tailored specifically to pork. There’s no room or reason for dogs to enter the supply chain.
Why the Rumor is Harmful
While the bacon-from-dogs rumor is unfounded, it can still potentially cause real harm:
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It damages the pork industry and livelihood of pig farmers by maligning their products.
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It may undeservedly deter certain religions and cultures from consuming bacon.
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It spreads distrust and anxiety about the food supply.
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It trivializes actual issues like animal cruelty and food transparency.
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It can enable anti-science views when debunked.
For these reasons, it’s important to understand that real bacon only comes from pigs, not dogs.
Health Concerns with Eating Bacon
While the dog myth is unfounded, there are still legitimate health concerns with regular bacon consumption:
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The World Health Organization has classified processed meats like bacon as carcinogenic. Links to colorectal cancer have been found.
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Bacon is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease.
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The sodium content is very high, which may increase hypertension.
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Nitrates used in curing have been linked to risks of thyroid dysfunction and certain cancers.
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Cooking at high temperatures can produce carcinogenic compounds.
Moderation is key. The American Cancer Society recommends limiting bacon to 1-2 servings monthly. Focus on plant foods instead for better health.
Delicious Bacon Alternatives Exist
For those looking to avoid real bacon for either health or personal reasons, some tasty alternatives exist:
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Turkey bacon provides the crispness and smoky flavor of bacon while being leaner than pork.
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Tempeh bacon has a chewy texture and savory taste thanks to its fermented soybeans.
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Coconut bacon is entirely plant-based and gets its rich flavor from coconut aminos and maple syrup.
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Eggplant bacon is easy to make at home. Slice eggplant thin, marinate in a smoky sauce, and roast crispy.
With some creative substitutes, you can enjoy the salty, savory flavors of bacon without the downsides.
The Takeaway: Bacon Comes from Pigs, Not Dogs
While the notion of bacon originating from dogs makes for a provocative headline, it simply isn’t grounded in reality. When you examine the evidence, it’s clear this is an urban myth with no basis in fact. Bacon is produced from pork bellies, not canines, through a regulated and meticulous process optimized for pigs. However, even real bacon should still be eaten in moderation due to legitimate health concerns. Luckily, if you love the taste but want to avoid pork, there are plenty of tasty bacon alternatives you can try instead.
The Traditional Bacon-Making Process
What is the traditional way to cure bacon? It starts with a fresh cut of pork and ends with a tasty, long-lasting meat. Raw bacon is rubbed with salt and other spices, which gives it flavor and cures the meat over a week or two. In some cases, sugar is added to the dry rub for some sweetness. This method is known as dry curing since you don’t add any liquid during the curing process.
Most of the time, bacon that has been cured is rinsed off, dried, and then put in a smoker to keep it fresh and add flavor. Typically, the smoking process happens at a low heat, enough to flavor the bacon without cooking it. Whether you use applewood, hickory, cherry, or any other type of smoke wood chips in the smoker, they can give the food a certain flavor. Sometimes, dry-cured bacon is hung out in the cold for weeks or even months to dry out without being smoked.
Dry-cured bacon tends to have a more robust flavor than wet-cured bacon, which we’ll discuss next. Dry curing is the time-honored method for curing bacon, so traditional types of bacon are generally dry-cured. This process is more time-consuming, though, so it has become increasingly rare in the U. S. today. You can still get traditional dry-cured bacon, however, from artisanal companies like S. Clyde Weaver.
Hardwood Smoked Bacon
Remember, just because bacon tastes smoky, that doesn’t necessarily mean it was smoked. Most of the time, liquid smoke is added to commercial bacon and heated in an oven to make it taste like smoked bacon without actually smoking it.
If, on the other hand, bacon says “hardwood smoked,” it means it was really smoked over burning hardwood chips in the traditional way. Labels may sometimes say what kind of wood was used, since wood chips of different types can slightly change the taste. Another label you might see is “naturally smoked,” which means the same thing as hardwood smoked. If you’re looking for bonafide bacon, choose hardwood smoked varieties.
How It’s Actually Made – Bacon
FAQ
Is bacon a dog or pork?
What is bacon made of?
Is bacon 100% pig?
Which animal meat is bacon?
Is Bacon made from dog meat?
Bacon is traditionally made from pork, specifically the belly, back, or sides of a pig. Other types of bacon, such as turkey bacon, may be made from different animals, but they are always clearly labeled as such. The idea that bacon is made from dog meat likely stems from a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
Can dogs eat bacon?
While it is true that some cultures do consume dog meat, it is not a common ingredient in any type of bacon. The history of bacon dates back thousands of years, with the Chinese being credited as the first to cure pork bellies with salt, creating an early form of bacon.
What is real bacon?
With the exception of specialty products like turkey bacon that seek to imitate traditional pork bacon, real bacon is made from pork. Unlike some other types of pork you might purchase from the butcher or supermarket, bacon isn’t defined by being from a specific cut of meat.
How is Bacon made?
While some commercially-produced bacon may contain other additives or fillers, traditional bacon is made from just a few simple ingredients. By varying the source and proportions of these ingredients, bacon makers can achieve a wide range of flavors and textures. There are two primary methods for producing bacon: dry curing and wet curing.