Who doesn’t like bacon? We know we do because the stuff is delicious. That’s why we put together this list of bacon facts just for you.
We’re not here to debate the health benefits of bacon. We’ll leave that discussion to the health blogs. We just love eating it!
If you’re are unsure what bacon is, it’s salt-cured pork thinly sliced from several cuts of meat, typically from the back of the pig or from the sides of the pork belly.
What makes bacon unique is the right balance between meat and fat that turns it crispy when cooked on a sizzling skillet. And the smell! You can’t beat the smell.
Here are 12 bacon facts you didn’t know because we know you’d love to know more about your favorite cured meat.
1. Where Did the Name Bacon Come From?
Let’s start with an easy one – the etymology of bacon. The word bacon comes from a prehistoric word of Germanic language, “bak” which means back.
Bacon has the same etymological root as the word “back,” but it got a bit more complicated than that. The Germanic term “bakko” translated into Frankish as “bako” and to modern French as “bacun” or bacon.
Bacon in French is actually pronounced with a strong “a”, and rhymes with the word falcon.
2. Who Invented Bacon Cheeseburgers?
The bacon cheeseburger was invented in 1941 by Rock Hibbard, in Houston, Texas as he was in charge of the grill at the Buffalo Drugstore and Eatery. His invention was originally named the Rockburger and had a crunchiness never seen before. It soon caught on.
Other sources credit Dale Mulder, owner of an A&W franchise, for inventing the Bacon Cheeseburger in 1963. Who to believe? Or better yet, who do we have to thank?
3. Top 10 Bacon Eating Cities in America
It may come to a surprise that bacon lovers can be found everywhere. In fact, the top bacon markets in America are:
- New York
- Los Angeles
- San Antonio
- Baltimore
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Houston
- South Carolina
- Dallas
- Atlanta
4. Top 5 Best Selling U.S. Bacon Brands
- Private Label
- Oscar Mayer
- Hormel Black Label
- Wright
- Farmland
5. You Eat 18 Pounds of Bacon Per Year
Chances are that if you are reading this that you are a bacon lover. There is also a pretty good chance that you live in the United States. Studies show that American’s eat 18 pounds of bacon per year. That seems like a lot of bacon! But…
6. Denmark Has More Pigs than People
There are about 5,000 pig farms in Denmark that produce approx 28 million pigs annually. At any given time pigs outnumber people in Denmark by more than two-to-one! Ok, we’re stretching to add this as one of the bacon facts but you know you it’s still pretty relevant.
It won’t come as a surprise that Denmark is also the largest consumer of pork over any other country in the world. Even though they export 90% of their pork.
7. Convert Vegetarians with Bacon
You often hear stories about vegetarians eating bacon and joining the carnivore club though this salty sizzling little gastronomic gateway drug.
Bacon is high in fat and salt and has a very strong and distinctive smell that triggers a primal hunger response. When your body craves calories, bacon acts like a siren drawing you in and once you’ve had a bite, well…you’re hooked!
8. Hardee’s Saved Bacon in 1992
After the lean meat health craze of the 1980’s Hardee’s put bacon back on the map by adding it to its now legendary Frisco Burger.
That success has since inspired almost every major fast-food chain in the world to eventually add bacon to their menus. Thank you Hardee’s!
9. Origins of “Bringing Home the Bacon”
We all have to bring home the bacon one way or another, but where does the term come from?
One source takes us back to 12th century England where churches rewarded married men that could get along with their wives for a year with a flitch of bacon. Another source goes back to 10th century, where an Essex town Mayor gifted bacon to a couple with after being impressed by their devotion.
Either way, men that brought home the bacon were well-respected members of the community and great catches for single ladies, not for the money they made but for their kind character.
10. Bacon is Now a Dessert
Bacon is a breakfast staple and key ingredient in burgers and sandwiches, but the salty, fatty richness and intense flavor pairs nicely with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and many other sweet treats.
Bacon is used as ice cream and cupcake topping, but it can also be infused into spirits. Have you tried bacon-infused Bourbon?
Saltiness and fat contrast with sweetness, making both parts taste better. That’s the kind of science we like!
(+BONUS) 11. There’s a Bacon Church
The United Church of Bacon, a congregation devoted to bacon at the heart of Las Vegas is no joke; well, it kinda is.
A group of skeptic and atheist friends put together this idea to protest against religions getting special privileges when it comes to taxes and law. This is a real church, and they perform wedding ceremonies. Is there a better way of bringing together two people with a shared passion for the salty meat?
The United Church of Bacon does lots of charity and has over 25,000 members around the world.
Do we miss any bacon facts?
Love it or hate it bacon is part of almost every restaurant menu now. For a while there it looked like bacon was on its way out, but its popularity has only been building for years now and will likely continue to do so until something better comes along. But what?? Also, let us know of any fun facts about bacon we may have missed and will add them to this list!
For more fascinating foodie fun facts check out our ingredients category our head over to wikipedia to learn more.