Facts about BACON that will blow your mind...

Let's explore some interesting bacon facts:

1. The origin of the word "bacon" can be traced back to the prehistoric Germanic word "bak," meaning back. It evolved into "bakko" in Frankish and eventually became "bacun" or bacon in modern French.

2. The invention of the bacon cheeseburger is credited to Rock Hibbard, who created it in 1941 at the Buffalo Drugstore and Eatery in Houston, Texas. However, some sources attribute it to Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W franchise, in 1963.

3. The top bacon-eating cities in America include New York, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, South Carolina, Dallas, and Atlanta.

4. The best-selling bacon brands in the United States are Private Label, Oscar Mayer, Hormel Black Label, Wright, and Farmland.

5. Americans consume approximately 18 pounds of bacon per year on average.

6. Denmark has more pigs than people, with about 28 million pigs produced annually on around 5,000 pig farms. Pigs outnumber humans in Denmark by more than two-to-one.

7. Bacon has been known to convert some vegetarians to meat-eaters due to its high fat and salt content, as well as its enticing smell.

8. Hardee's played a significant role in bringing bacon back into popularity with its addition to the Frisco Burger in 1992. This success inspired many other fast-food chains to incorporate bacon into their menus.

9. The phrase "bringing home the bacon" has historical origins. It is believed to have originated from 12th century England, where churches rewarded men who could live harmoniously with their wives for a year with a flitch of bacon. Another theory suggests that an Essex town mayor gifted bacon to a devoted couple in the 10th century. Either way, bringing home the bacon was a sign of respect and regarded highly in the community.

10. Bacon has transcended its traditional role as a savory ingredient and can now be found in desserts. It pairs well with sweet treats like chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. Bacon-infused spirits, such as bacon-infused Bourbon, have also gained popularity.

These bacon facts highlight the etymology, cultural significance, and culinary versatility of this beloved food.

The credit for popularizing the combination of bacon and eggs as a breakfast staple in America goes to Edward Bernays, known as the "father of public relations." In the 1920s, Bernays was hired by the Beech-Nut Packing Company, a bacon producer, to boost the demand for bacon. At the time, the typical American breakfast was light, consisting of coffee and a roll.

To promote a heartier breakfast, Bernays consulted with the company's physician and posed the question of whether a heavier breakfast would be more beneficial, considering that the body loses energy during the night and needs replenishment during the day. Predictably, the company physician agreed with this notion.

Bernays seized the opportunity and proposed that the physician reach out to 5,000 other doctors, seeking their opinions on the matter. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the physicians concurred with the idea of a substantial breakfast. The news of their agreement was widely reported in newspapers across the country, often including the recommendation of bacon and eggs as a key component of a "healthier" breakfast.

As a result of this clever public relations campaign, bacon sales soared, and the association between bacon and eggs became deeply ingrained in the American breakfast culture. Bernays' efforts successfully shaped public opinion and forever linked bacon and eggs as a classic breakfast pairing.

The tradition of offering a "flitch" or side of bacon as a reward for marital success dates back to the 12th century in Essex, England, where the Prior of Little Dunmow initiated the custom. Couples were challenged to prove that they had not desired to be unmarried again after a year and a day of marriage. This tradition continues to this day with periodic "marriage trials" held in Great Dunmow, Essex every four years. However, despite its connection to bacon, this specific tradition does not appear to be the origin of the expression "bringing home the bacon," which has a more recent history.

The term "bacon" has been used as slang for "body" or "livelihood" since the 17th century. However, the full phrase "bringing home the bacon" seems to have emerged in a 1906 news article that reported on a boxing match between Joe Gans and "Battling" Oliver Nelson. The article from The Post-Standard in New York stated that before the fight, Gans received a telegram from his mother encouraging him to win and stating, "Peter Jackson will tell me the news and you bring home the bacon." Gans did emerge victorious in the match, although it is unclear if he actually received any bacon as a prize.

Therefore, while the tradition of offering a flitch of bacon for marital success predates the phrase "bringing home the bacon," the specific expression seems to have originated in the early 20th century in a boxing context. It has since become a widely used phrase symbolizing success and providing for one's household.