Bacon pieces by Katie Lenhardt
When thinking about the perfect American breakfast, I believe it is safe to say that bacon forms part of that plate. Bacon is a prevalent food in America. I ensure that my fridge will be endowed with bacon at least 360 days out of the year. The pungent smell of bacon will always bring me back to the nostalgic feeling of waking up on Sunday to a big, delicious breakfast. We have all seen and tasted it, but what exactly is it? Even though this food is very widely known, I believe that not many people know how and where most bacon comes from. A couple of years ago I was unfortunate enough to experience pork harvesting which was, as you can imagine, very traumatizing. Since this, I have chosen to opt for a more sustainable version of bacon, but that is a story for later.
The world-changing discovery of bacon
Bacon is a salt-cured piece of pig belly or pig back. It is usually used as a component ingredient in things such as sandwiches, eggs, salads, etc. Bacon is cut and cured in salt, nitrate, and sometimes sugar. The bacon’s fat is usually what brings forth the tasty flavor. The beginning of bacon can be traced all the way back to China in 1500 B.C. The Middle East’s hegemony over Europe subsequently led to the discovery of bacon there. Bacon was referred to as any pork product. Ancient Romans took their own toll on bacon and would boil the pig fat with fruits like figs and serve it with wine. You have probably heard the term “bring home the bacon” and even might have used it at some point in your life, This originally started because during the 12th century, bacon became SO popular that when men would get married by the church in Dunow, England, and swore to not argue with their wives for a year and a day, he was given pieces of bacon and would bring it home s a reward.
Bacon was pretty common during the early 1900s all over the world. In Pre-Industrial Britain, people would keep pigs in their basements and grow them until they were big enough to be eaten. Thankfully, in the 1930s this was outlawed since it basically is considered animal abuse. Each family was known to have a different recipe for how to cure and prepare bacon. People would sell their bacon and one was able to enjoy a wide variety of bacon creating endless breakfast possibilities.
Pigs in a production farm taken by Khushbu Shah
Production of Bacon
Most bacon production can be traced back to …drum roll, please…. China– a shocker. Since 2010, China was accountable for nearly 50% of pork production worldwide, which might not seem like a big deal until you know that about 1.2 million of those pigs carried diseases causing about 40% of the pork population to die which then caused production to decrease. This might not seem like a big deal, but pork production demeans and pollute 11.4 acres of land per year! 149 acres are also used mainly for the production of animal feed, so before buying bacon the next time you go to the store, make sure to check those labels again.
Anyway, let’s talk about the real deal. What is the most dominant for bacon production? Pigs are sent to slaughter factories in trailers. Primarily this method of transportation causes a lot of trauma to the pigs because, as you can imagine, they do not know what is happening. After being unloaded, they are left for a couple of hours in a room with unlimited food and water so that they can reduce stress and their meat softens up. When their time comes, pigs are stunned either through electricity or carbon dioxide. This is required by the U. S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service before slaughtering. Immediately after slaughter, the pigs are placed in a hot bath in order to soften and release hair follicles. They are then placed in hair-removing machines and chilled before being cut and separated into different pieces like ham, shoulders, and of course, bacon.
What if I told you that about 10 billion animals in factory farms are unfortunately living in conditions that are so bad, it might get to the extent of even harming humans? There are not enough laws in the world to protect animals. They are going days with no food and water and living in such cramped spaces. Now you may be thinking, “yeah whatever poor animals, but what’s in it for me?” well, what if I told you now that these living spaces are creating a constant growth of bacteria that YOU will later ingest. Furthermore, the air and water pollution caused by these farms are also constantly creating pollution that is not only affecting the earth but also the people living near and working in these factories. Studies have shown that the people there have such an unparalleled health and environmental threat. Working in such farms has also unfortunately trapped farmers in horrible working and living conditions but since they’re going through such an oppressive debt, they can’t really do anything about it. So maybe the next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to not only focus on how good that bacon will compliment your meal.
Making it sustainable
I can imagine what you are thinking after reading how pigs are killed in order to produce bacon but don’t worry, there are other, more sustainable alternatives you can still enjoy. Some of the most common alternatives are plant-based bacon. This includes tempeh, seitan, and obviously vegan bacon slices. “But it doesn’t taste the same.” DON’T WORRY! There are ways for bacon production to be sustainable!
The first and maybe most important thing to keeping a sustainable farm is having a veterinarian monitoring the pig’s health, and environment to make sure that the pork is safe to eat. Asking sure farmers and farmworkers know the proper care for pigs is essential when sustainably producing bacon. Second, pigs should be able to consume a well-balanced and nourishing meal. Getting all the protein in and the correct amount of amino acids for them to grow and be healthy is very important. Thirdly, having a sustainable environment, fertilizers, water, etc is essential. Doctor Joel DeRouchey said that in order to raise the feed for future pigs and other uses of grains and protein crops, pork producers properly return manure nutrients to the soil. Farm workers are able to use practices such as soil rotation, and using precision technology to decrease the impact that producing bacon has on the environment.
Amish Broccoli Salad Recipe
Bacon is widely known to be a breakfast condiment, but what if I told you it doesn’t necessarily have to be part of -only- your breakfast? This easy salad recipe is perfect for on-the-go lunch and the perfect way to impress your friends and family at dinner. The flavor and texture are so mouthwatering it is impossible for you to say no to it.
Ingredients:
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- mayonnaise
- sugar
- salt
- sour cream
- cheddar cheese
- bacon!!
Broccoli salad taken by Carolyn Casner
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli and cauliflower.
- For the dressing, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add the dressing to the bowl of broccoli and cauliflower. Toss well to coat the veggies evenly.
- Mix in the bacon and cheese, leaving a small portion out for sprinkling.
- Chill the salad until ready to serve. Sprinkle with remaining bacon and cheese right before serving. Enjoy!
Blog Post By Jimena Vega
References