For the Love of Bacon

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Bacon. You know it, you love it, there are memes about it, jokes about it, and it's on almost every menu in some form. Even on the TV show The Office, Micheal Scott risked his foot in the pursuit of that delicious breakfast treat. 

It has grown from just breakfast food and has infiltrated lunch, dinner, and even desserts! After the dumpster fire that was 2020, it is time to treat ourselves to some bacon and fun! 

Below, find some fun facts about bacon, bacon history, where you can celebrate your love of bacon with other bacon lovers. There are also some recipes to use your favorite food in some unique and fun ways, and, finally, some fun bacon products you can buy to show the world your love of bacon.

Fun Facts about Bacon

• According to fee.org, the average American eats almost 18 lbs. of bacon a year. That is the average weight of a 6-month-old baby!
• Foodnetwork.com has 6,871 recipes with bacon as the main ingredient. 
• The first form of bacon dates back to 1500 BC.
• The phrase "bring home the bacon" dates back to 12th century England. Churches would award a side of bacon to any man who swore before God and the church that he and his wife had not argued for a year and a day. Men who "brought home the bacon" were seen as the ideal husbands and model citizens.
• There is a bacon sculpture of Kevin Bacon. Artist Mike Lahue used seven bottles of bacon bits, glue, and five lacquer coats to sculpt a bust of Kevin Bacon. The bust was sold at an auction in 2010.
• Bacon is served at 70% of restaurants nationwide.

A Brief History of Bacon

• The Chinese first preserved pork with salt around 1500 BC, creating the first instance of bacon. Ancient Romans also had a version of bacon, made from pork shoulder, called petaso, produced by boiling the pork shoulder with dried figs. 
• Originally the word bacon came from words meaning a pig's back. To many, even as late as the 16th century, the word bacon simply meant pork. The term was also used in antebellum America to describe any dry-cured meat.
• In America, bacon lost popularity in the 1980s when the prevailing attitude was to lighten up on fat in diets. 
• In the late 1990s, due partly to the Atkin's diet trend, which focused on protein-rich foods, is when our love affair with bacon started again. 

Festivals Celebrating Bacon

BaconFest hosts bacon festivals all across the country. While COVID-19 had paused them for 2020, they are optimistic and have scheduled one in August 2021 in Syracuse, NY. There are vendors, live entertainment, and, of course, bacon in all shapes and forms! 

Zingerman's, one of America's biggest food companies, puts on one of the best bacon-fests in Michigan. They had to cancel for 2020 but rescheduled for June 2-6, 2021. Be ready to sign up for Bacon Camp! According to its website, "Zingerman's Camp Bacon® is a 5-day food learning and eating experience. You can choose just one event or join them all. The week includes the Main Event featuring an all-day line-up of captivating guest speakers and a menu of scrumptious bacon bites. It also includes the Bacon Ball dinner, Bacon Film Festival, Bacon Street Fair, tastings, classes, and more."

Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival, located in Keystone, CO, They were set to celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2020 as Colorado's longest-running Bacon & Bourbon Festival. They have postponed their celebration to June 2021. Live entertainment, vendors, bacon-eating contests, bourbon tastings and pairings, and, of course, unlimited bacon samples! 

The Bacon and Beer Classic has festivals in 8 cities and counting. Indulge in bacon heaven from local restaurants and sip on craft beers made in local breweries! Not a beer drinker? Don’t worry! They have some spirits and ciders on-site as well! Depending on the location, there will be different events, giveaways, and music!

Bake and Cook with Bacon

Apple Pie Bacon Grilled Cheese - This sandwich is perfect for a Sunday afternoon lunch.

Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato, and Mozzarella - Treat your partner to a romantic dinner, filled with bacon, of course. 

Bacon Crusted Beer Mac + Cheese - A bacon-y beer-filled twist on a classic. This recipe will make you say, "Kraft, who?"

Bacon Shortbread with Salted Ale (or Stout) Caramel - Combining sweet chocolate, smokey bacon, salty caramel with a slightly bitter taste of ale. Absolute perfection. 

Bacon Bourbon Chocolate Chunk Cookies - These are a delicious grown-up twist on the classic cookie. 

Whiskey, Caramel, Marshmallow, and Bacon Bark - It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser. You will be the favorite at the potluck and always be invited back to bring this treat. 

Show Your Love of Bacon

Bacon Flavored Mints - Flavored with bacon and mint taste, these will definitely freshen up your breath!

Bacon Strip Bandages - These are perfect when you cut your fingers trying to slice up some bacon. Bacon makes everything feel better.

Bacon Lip Balm - Your lips will be irresistible when they are polished and hydrated and taste like bacon. 

Bacon Ornament - Nothing says Christmas more than a slab of bacon on the tree. 

Novelty "Bring Me Bacon" Socks - After having another bacon-filled meal and you can kick-back in your favorite recliner. These socks will do the talking, letting everyone know you want more bacon! 

Bacon Novelty Toilet Paper - You eat bacon, you digest bacon, and it becomes waste. Still feel connected to your favorite food by cleaning your tush with toilet paper made to look like bacon. 

Bacon Scented Soap - There is nothing more disappointing than having bacon for breakfast and having to get into the shower to wash away that wonderful bacon smell. Now, you get the both of best worlds; you clean up and still smell like bacon.

Bacon Air Freshener - Ever get in your car, and it doesn't smell like bacon? Well, now you don't have to! This air freshener will solve that age-old problem for you. 

Bacon is a part of our lives as Americans. As while it might not be the healthiest food Dean Winchester, from the TV show Supernatural, said it best "Dude, if bacon is what kills me, then I win."

What are your favorite ways to enjoy bacon? Comment below!

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