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A Quick History of Bacon

A quick thank you to all the pigs out there, for your service.Pigs weren’t always the domesticated and farm-raised animals that we are familiar with today; modern pigs all originally came from several different populations of wild pigs in Europe and Asia. People hunted wild boar and their meat became very sought after but dangerous to obtain because of their teeth and tusks. At around the same time in Asia and Europe, people began to tame pigs and use salt to cure the meat (including the pork belly) so that it could last longer and this cured pork could arguably be referred to as the foundation for what we call bacon today.

Another early variation of bacon came from Ancient Rome and was called “petaso”. Petaso was made by boiling the pork with figs and then searing it in a fire and seasoning it with a pepper sauce. A great pairing.. there are still quite a few ‘pig and fig’ dishes out there that I’ve had at restaurants and gastropubs.

Let’s jump to the Middle Ages in England. Lots of food historians believe that farmers raising pigs in this period of time may have begun to notice that some pigs had meatier sides than others. They would have bred these pigs to continue that trend because there have been accounts of a cut of pork belly and pork loin that was cured and eaten (the closest resemblance yet to modern day bacon) by the people at that time. This ends up being more like what we call ‘back bacon’. This is a leaner cut, wet or dry cured, that is not smoked and is still quite popular today in England.

(Listen to the Retrospectical Podcast Episode 06 all about bacon, including an interview with Baconfest Chicago co-founder, Seth Zurer) 

A few hundred years afterward, peasants in Europe began to smoke the bacon, roughly following the same set of preparations that we do today. After acquiring some good quality cured pork bellies, they must be dried completely so that a pellicle (coating of proteins) forms over the meat. This is so the meat will absorb the smoke better and not dry out the insides. Then the pork bellies are smoked – generally for a long period of time at a relatively low temperature. At this point, they can be sliced to whatever thickness is preferred and cooked.

Back in the 17th and 18th centuries in England, nearly everyone owned pigs and had their own secret recipes for bacon (city dwellers were even allowed to keep pigs in their basements for those purposes until that was made illegal in the 1930’s). Obviously more of the bacon came from local farms and butchers but regardless, this explosion of such a variety of different kinds of bacon, sausage and other pork products must have been something to behold.

Toward the end of the 18th century, a bacontrepeneur named John Harris pioneered a new way of curing pork bellies in a brine that proved to be both quicker and more cost-effective. This started the bacon revolution full force, with hundreds of companies forming thereafter using his techniques or similar to get low-cost bacon out to the masses. This should be looked at as a compromise, however, as it is more than likely that the ‘craft’ dry-cured bacon that was previously being made by the people was much tastier and also higher quality product.

What Different Kinds of Bacon Are There?

All the bacons.. MMmmMMmmMM..Side bacon, or streaky bacon, comes from pork belly. It is very fatty with long layers of fat running parallel to the rind. This is the most common form of bacon in the United States. Pancetta is Italian streaky bacon, smoked or un-smoked, with a strong flavor. It is generally rolled up into cylinders after curing.

Middle bacon, from the side of the animal, is intermediate in cost, fat content, and flavor between streaky bacon and back bacon.

Back bacon (rashers, or, in the United States, Canadian bacon) comes from the loin in the middle of the back of the pig. It is a very lean, meaty cut of bacon, with less fat compared to other cuts. It has a ham-like texture. Most bacon consumed in the UK is back bacon.

Cottage bacon is thinly sliced lean pork meat from a shoulder cut that is typically oval shaped and meaty. It is cured and then sliced into round pieces for baking or frying.

Jowl bacon is cured and smoked cheeks of pork.

Slab bacon is side bacon that is not sliced. It generally has the rind still intact, and usually has a medium to very high fraction of fat. It is made from the belly and side cuts, and from fatback. Slab bacon is not to be confused with salt pork, which is prepared from the same cuts, but is not cured.

(Click on the picture for a full-size version that you can actually read!)

5 Interesting Facts About Bacon

• Bet you thought Baconnaise contained bacon.. think again!Bacon Explosion is one of the most popular dishes in the world after it went viral on the internet several years ago.. The Bacon Explosion is made of bacon, sausage, barbeque sauce and barbeque seasoning or rub. The bacon is assembled in a weave to hold the sausage, sauce and crumbled bacon. Once rolled, the Bacon Explosion is cooked, basted, cut and served.

• Bacon is addictive – not just because of how good it is! It contains large amounts of glutamate, which actually produces stimulates the umami receptors in the brain and gives us a specific savory taste and lasting sensation. Interesting stuff.. other foods known to have this effect include: beef, potatoes, parmesan cheese and shellfish. Yum!

• A bacon sandwich really does cure a hangover: "Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good." "Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head." Researchers also found a complex chemical interaction in the cooking of bacon produces the winning combination of taste and smell which is almost irresistible.

• Baconnaise is vegetarian.. yup. Believe it or not, they mock this dressing up to taste just like the real thing but it actually contains none of it!

• 70% of bacon in the U.S is eaten at breakfast time. This may seem perfectly reasonable, but it didn’t start off this way. In fact, it’s really pretty much only due to the meddling of Sigmund Freud’s nephew.. who - to no great surprise - was skilled in psychology, and therefore advertising. Mr. Edward Bernays. He, through a Beech-Nut Packing Company ad campaign (they manufactured a lot of pork products among other things), convinced the American public that a heavier breakfast (bacon and eggs, specifically) would be beneficial. This was backed up by some of his friends in the medical industry through a study that was performed. Immediately during and after the campaign, bacon became a huge part of the traditional American breakfast.

This week's retrospectical episode is all about bacon. We start all the way back to the beginning and talk about how bacon was first 'discovered' and used before it became a widespread global phenomenon. We also go in-depth about the different kinds of bacon out there, and how asking for some 'bacon' may net you different results depending on where you are in the world! Check out the full article here: http://www.drinkfive.com/general/item/221-the-history-passion-pursuit-of-bacon

(Retrospectical Podcast Episode 06: The History, Passion & Pursuit of Bacon)

Seth Zurer, co-founder of Baconfest Chicago joins us for a quick interview about the festivities at Baconfest this year - if you're in the Chicago area be sure not to miss it! We're crazy for bacon but everyone we introduce to Baconfest falls in love at first bite.

Update: Badass Candied Bacon. You're welcome.

It's chaos out there in the NFL this off-season. Each new year brings with it updated rosters and surprise acquisitions, but so far this year seems to be up there with the craziest that I've seen. Below you'll find some of the major gains and losses from each NFL team, but since the Patriots took home the title this year I thought I'd start with them and go a little more in-depth with the teams in the AFC East.

AFC East

• New England Patriots (12-4)

The 2014 Patriots obtained the highest honor in the NFL by winning the Super Bowl last year. Starting off slowly, they gained momentum throughout the season and carried it right through to a victory in Arizona against the Seahawks. The team looks very similar offensively with the exception of losing Shane Vereen to the Giants and gaining Scott Chandler from the Bills.

Vereen’s loss will hurt, as he was often called upon to play the hurry-up offense and was a great pass-catching back with speed and agility. Stevan Ridley will also not be coming back in 2015 after suffering a torn ACL & MCL early in the 2014 season. Belichick should not have many issues, however, making do with LeGarrette Blount as the power back and James White picking up where Vereen left off as a pass blocker and picking up some short passing routes in the backfield (The Patriots also just acquired Travaris Cadet from the Saints who will be involved in the competition for Vereen's touches).

(Check out our NFL catch-up Podcast from 3/17) 

Brandon Bolden and Jonas Gray may also be joining the party in smaller roles, as usual obfuscating the fantasy relevance of the running back position on the Patriots. The acquisition of Scott Chandler provides depth at the tight end position and another redzone threat, but he will likely not see much work unless Gronkowski suffers an injury. Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola will all return as the receiving core in New England.

Surprisingly, Amendola was given a new, 3-year contract this year which may spell out a larger role for him in 2015 if he can remain healthy. Tom Brady remains his usual, snarky self with Jimmy Garoppolo waiting in the wings. May still be a few years, Jimmy. On the defensive side of the ball, The Pats lost key players Vince Wilfork and Darrelle Revis, who will both be nearly impossible to replace. The Patriots still have a strong, young defense that they have been building for a few years now but the absence of those specific players will definitely hurt.

• Buffalo Bills (9-7)

Kyle Orton is retiring again, this time likely for good. The battle for the starting QB spot in Buffalo will rage in 2015 between Matt Cassel (from the Vikings) and E.J. Manuel and I’m honestly not sure who deserves it more but most analysts are penciling in Cassel. One of the biggest offseason acquisitions so far this year was LeSean McCoy (from the Eagles) going to the Bills – he should provide a jumpstart to the offense and will likely pair well with Fred Jackson, both of which are multi-faceted (although Jackson just turned 34.. he doesn’t have much tread remaining on the tires).

Regardless of who is throwing the football this year, they have some good targets in Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin (from the Jets), not to mention Robert Woods who had a couple of great games his rookie year. This could be the youngest receiving core in football with an average age of 23. After tight end Scott Chandler left for the Patriots, the Bills landed former Dolphins’ tight end Charles Clay (they acquired Jordan Cameron from the Browns). The defense in Buffalo was good last year and looks to keep rolling in 2015. Success for this team depends on the maturity of the receiving core and the ability of the signal caller.

• Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Ryan Tannehill is an obvious choice for a quarterback that will be chucking the football around for a long time in this league. So far in his 3-year career in the NFL he has improved his stats each year and in 2014 enjoyed a top 5 completion percentage, at 66.4%. He found success last year with rookie Jarvis Landry and was able to use deep threat Mike Wallace to a good degree but Wallace clashed with Dolphins’ staff and was handed off to the Vikings this off-season.

A young team on offense, the Dolphins have gambled on another hotshot receiver in Kenny Stills (from the Saints) moving into Mike Wallace’s former position as well as Jordan Cameron (from the Browns) to start at tight end. I mentioned earlier that the Bills may have the youngest receiving core in the NFL, well the Dolphins actually average out to 23 as well so they are both gambling on their young talent.

The only controversy on the Dolphins offense could have been the running back position (with either Lamar Miller or Knowshon Moreno heading up a committee), but the word on the street is that the Dolphins will not be resigning Moreno to a new contract which means that Lamar Miller could be in for a very productive 2015. On defense, the Dolphins signed Ndamukong Suh (from the Lions) to a massive contract (six-years, $114 million) which should give the squad’s rushing defense a kick in the ass. Look for the Dolphins to surprise this year.

• New York Jets (4-12)

The Jets have been busy this off-season, and their new GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles have acquired a great deal of talent, possible transforming the Jets from one of the worst teams in the league to an immediate contender in what will more than likely be a tough AFC East division. They picked up both Darrelle Revis (from the Patriots) and Antonio Cromartie (from the Cardinals) to bolster their secondary (along with a few others) and secured Brandon Marshall (from the Bears) to head up the receiving core.

Although losing Percy Harvin to the Bills recently, that seems to have been in the plan all along for this new regime and the combination of Marshall and Decker should prove more than formidable. The only big issue left was at quarterback, as the Jets had to choose between two less than stellar options in either a Michael Vick past his prime or the inconsistent Geno Smith.

The Jets smartly traded for Ryan Fitzpatrick from Houston to reunite him with his former coach Chan Gailey (who is now the OC in in New York) and Fitzpatrick will have to win the gig but easily projects to have a good fantasy year, if so. The Patriots are going to have more trouble than normal in the East this year. Should be fun to watch!

There have been quite a few moves in the 2015 NFL off-season!AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

+DeAngelo Williams

-Lance Moore, James Harrison, Brett Keisel, *Troy Polamalu

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)

+Michael Johnson

Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

+Kendrick Lewis

-Torrey Smith

Cleveland Browns (7-9)

+Josh McCown, Brian Hartline, Tramon Williams

-Brian Hoyer, Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

+Frank Gore, Andre Johnson

-Trent Richardson, Reggie Wayne

Houston Texans (9-7)

+Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Cecil Shorts, Vince Wilfork, Rahim Moore

-Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andre Johnson

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

+Julius Thomas, Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta

-Cecil Shorts

Tennessee Titans (2-14)

+Harry Douglas, Brian Orakpo, Perrish Cox

-Jake Locker

AFC West

Denver Broncos (12-4)

+Owen Daniels

-Julius Thomas

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)

+Jeremy Maclin

-Dwayne Bowe

San Diego Chargers (9-7)

+Stevie Johnson, Jacoby Jones

-Ryan Mathews

Oakland Raiders (3-13)

+Trent Richardson, Roy Helu, Christian Ponder, Nate Allen, Rodney Hudson

-Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

+Darren McFadden

-DeMarco Murray

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

+Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews

-Nick Foles, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy

New York Giants (6-10)

+Shane Vereen

Washington Redskins (4-12)

+Chris Culliver

-Roy Helu

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (12-4)

+Bryan Bulaga

-Tramon Williams, AJ Hawk, Brad Jones

Detroit Lions (11-5)

+Haloti Ngata

-Reggie Bush, Ndamukong Suh

Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

+Shaun Hill, Mike Wallace

-Greg Jennings

Chicago Bears (5-11)

+Eddie Royal, Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle

-Brandon Marshall

NFC South

Carolina Panthers (7-8)

+Ted Ginn

-DeAngelo Williams, Michael Oher

New Orleans Saints (7-9)

+CJ Spiller, Brandon Browner, Max Unger

-Kenny Stills, Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas

Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

+Leonard Hankerson, Brooks Reed

-Steven Jackson, Harry Douglas

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)

+Chris Conte, Henry Melton

-Josh McCown

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

+Jimmy Graham

-Max Unger

Arizona Cardinals (11-5)

+Mike Iupati, Lamarr Woodley

San Francisco 49ers (8-8)

+Reggie Bush, Torrey Smith

-Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Chris Borland

St. Louis Rams (6-10)

+Nick Foles

-Sam Bradford

Update: The Dolphins were clearly fed up with Wallace's antics even though the latest reports were saying that he was making good with Tannehill and the coaching staff in Miami. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2015 5th round pick. The Dolphins may still try to pick up another receiver to pair with Stills and Landry like Cecil Shorts. Wallace will be used heavily on the Vikings, but his value does dip a little bit as Teddy Bridgewater is not yet playing to the level of Tannehill.

NFL Free Agency this year has been a fireworks show. I know, I know.. every year has its blockbuster trades and unforeseeable acquisitions along with players facing unexpected injuries and trouble with the law - but this off-season just seems a little more impactful already. 

And it's only March 13th!

So.. is Friday the 13th of March, 2015 the day that Mike Wallace's dynasty outlook on the Dolphins hits a new low? Yes. With the signing of former Saint Kenny Stills, the Dolphins have just shown us where their future lies. And it's looking pretty good, folks. 

Let's take a quick look at Kenny Stills: he's a 3rd year player (breakout, anyone?) who, along with a 78.8% catch rate, grabbed 63 balls for a combined 931 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had success in 2014 running multiple routes and was among the very best (4th, in fact) in the NFL at bringing in the football.

Granted, Stills' quarterback was Drew Brees, but Tannehill has been no slouch in his first few years as an NFL signal caller and is generally expected to continue to improve - especially with new offensive targets like Kenny Stills and a recent acquisition from the Browns, Tight End Jordan Cameron. 

Back to Mike Wallace.

His numbers have been hovering around 1000 yards for his whole career and while his yardage total in 2014 (862) was disappointing compared to his previous seasons, he was able to match his career high in touchdowns (10) from back in Pittsburgh in 2010. Still, issues on the field and with coaches specifically have made the Dolphins' management rethink Wallace as their go-to receiver. Earlier in the year there were rumors swirling about Wallace being traded or facing a pay cut to stay on the team and although nothing of that sort has happened yet, he's definitely on the hot seat there.

Personally, I think the Dolphins will have Wallace and Stills both lined up on a lot of plays this year and although Stills is the future there, Wallace could keep a place on the team if he is able to take Stills under his wing and teach him how to be a play-maker. That said, Wallace will lose some down-field targets to Stills and some red-zone looks to Cameron. This is not to mention Jarvis Landry, who broke out in 2014 as a rookie with 84 receptions for 758 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

What does all of this mean? Well, the Dolphins offensive outlook just shot up for the 2015 season but we'll likely see Wallace's stock plummet slightly as he becomes more a part of the team rather than a lone wolf making plays by himself out there.