Thu, 07 May 2026 19:40:10 +0000

Why Bacon Comes From This Surprising Part of the Pig—You Won’t Guess It! When you crave the crispy, smoky bite of bacon, you might picture thick, fatty belly cuts stacked high on your plate. But here’s the surprising secret: bacon doesn’t come from just any part of the pig—it originates from a specific, often overlooked section: the ** belly, but more precisely, a specialized cut known as pork belly. ### What Exactly Is Pork Belly, and Why Is It Bacon’s Secret Home? Pork belly is the thick, fatty layer located along the underside of a pig. Unlike random cuts, this part is prized for its unique balance of fat and meat—naturally curby, tender, and rich with flavor. When industrial meat processors cure, smoke, and slice pork belly, the result is the beloved bacon we all know and love.