Cherry smoked bacon brings a tasty twist to the Great Bacon Revolution Awards
Bacon Connoisseurs Week (18 – 24 March) is set to revolutionise the nation’s love affair with bacon (apologies to all vegetarians among you).
This special week celebrates the many cuts and cures of the great rasher and is a firm favourite in the foodie calendar. This year over 300 cuts and cures from producers all over the nation have been entered into the Bacon Connoisseurs Week Great Bacon Revolution Awards on 18 March. The shortlist includes some tantalising new flavours such as vanilla, cherrywood, beetroot & black pepper and sweet chilli bacon. Other shortlisted rashers included: dry cured cherrywood smoked back bacon from Kober Ltd on behalf of Asda: “This thick-cut back bacon is hand rubbed with delicious sea-salt before being smoked over natural cherrywood. This gives it a rounded, full flavour.”
Wiltshire Cured Back Bacon flavoured with Sweet Chilli from Midland Bacon: “This fully covered brined Back Bacon is revolutionary thanks to the introduction of Sweet Chilli into the brine for the last four days of maturation. This really allows the flavour to seep into the meat.”
Beetroot & Black Pepper Back Bacon from Ludlow Food Centre Ltd: “We have used our traditionally dry cured back bacon, but have added fresh beetroot and a hint of black pepper, giving this bacon an eye-catching appearance which separates it from other bacon without detracting from the flavour too much.”
Baconologist and Master Butcher Keith Fisher, commented on the Awards saying: "Every year the entries are more abundant and ambitious, but this year has been particularly exciting thanks to The Great Bacon Revolution theme of the awards. This has been epitomised by The ‘Revolutionary Rasher’ Award, specifically designed to celebrate interesting and new ways of curing bacon. The quality across the board remains at a very high standard, and it’s great to see a wide selection of premium bacon continuing to be produced.’
Bacon Connoisseurs Week also highlights the importance of supporting Red Tractor farmers and understanding the provenance of pork and pork products like bacon. Provenance has never been more important and with the Red Tractor logo, consumers can be assured that the bacon they are eating is not only of the best quality, but also traceable back to Red Tractor approved farms through a full feed to fork scheme.
BACON FACTS & FIGURES
- The Bacon sandwich remains popular out-of-home with 324 million servings in the 12 months to September 2012, an increase of 2.9% (year-on-year) [NPD Crest Group 12 months ending September 2012]
- According to a survey of 2,000 Brits by UK Food Network, Bacon takes the number one spot in Britain’s Top 100 Foods, closely followed by chocolate and steak
- According to researchers at Newcastle University’s Centre for Life, the Bacon sandwich is the king of all hangover cures! Apparently the high level of carbohydrates and protein break down into amino acids, which boost the bodys level of amines and clear the head
- According to research by a well known air freshener brand 34% of British men think the smell of a Bacon sarnie makes them the most happy!
Find out more interesting facts on Lovepork.co.uk
