3,000 years ago, the Chinese were the first to cook bacon in 1500 BCE. That means bacon is one of the world’s oldest processed meats, and it seems to have only gained popularity over the years.
While it’s a classic part of a full breakfast and a crucial component of a BLT, bacon has also been popping up in ice cream, cupcakes, and even scented candles.
If you’re going to be around bacon that much, it’s a good idea to know your stuff. Let’s get into the details of different types of bacon cuts so you know what to pick up next time you want a taste of this delectable meat.
The Basics: Where Does Bacon Come From?
In short, bacon comes from many different parts of the pig, including the back, the belly, and the shoulder. In different countries, however, they tend to take meat from different areas. This makes bacon vary slightly from culture to culture.
While bacon can be made from the belly of the pig, pork belly does actually differ from back bacon or other types of bacon.
What’s the Difference Between Pork Belly and Bacon?
Pork belly, as the name suggests, is the cut of meat from the belly of the pig. This cut is boneless and high in fat, making it tender and delicious. This is a basic cut of pig meat: raw, unsmoked, uncured.
Bacon, on the other hand, can be created from pork belly, but it’s smoked, cured, or brined in some way.
Different Types of Bacon Cuts
As we already mentioned, bacon can vary in different countries around the world. This really depends on their chosen cut of meat.
American Bacon
American bacon is often made from the belly area of the pig, and it generally has a high fat content. This is often also referred to as “side bacon” or “streaky bacon.”
The longer you cook this type of bacon, the more fat you render, making the final product crispy bacon. It has a deep, smoky flavor.
English Bacon
English bacon is cut from the loin of the pig, and it tends to have more meat than fat. English bacon also isn’t smoked prior to cooking, so it has a slightly different flavor than American bacon.
Similar to American bacon, however, this variety is sliced bacon. Other countries, such as Canada and Ireland, cut their bacon into rounds.
Canadian Bacon
Canadian bacon would be considered back bacon since that’s the part of the pig it’s cut from. This part of the pig has a meatier texture and a little bit less fat.
People often confuse Canadian bacon with ham because it looks similar, but they’re not actually the same. While Canadian bacon isn’t always smoked, it’s still prepared differently from your average ham.
Choose the Best Cut of Bacon
Now that you know all about the different types of bacon cuts, you can make the best choice for you. If you want to cook with bacon and go the classic route, American bacon should be your first choice. If you want to experiment a bit, pick up some Canadian bacon for your next breakfast.
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