100% New Zealand Bacon
100% New Zealand Bacon is the only bacon made in New Zealand that is guaranteed to be made ONLY from New Zealand Pork.
'Bacon makes it' - known for it’s delicious flavour it is often bacon that adds the defining flavour to dishes - “bacon makes it”. Bacon is pork from the sides and belly of a pig that has been cured, smoked or dried.
There are four main categories of bacon available in New Zealand
- Middle - bacon that is taken from a whole loin including the belly
- Shoulder - bacon taken from the shoulder
- Streaky - bacon that is taken from the tail end of the loin or the belly
- Middle Eye - bacon that is taken from the loin with the skin off and no tail
Many names are used to describe the bacon and these usually relate to the method of production, the wood used for smoking, the ingredients that add flavour such as spices and herbs or ingredients that add sweetness such as honey, sugar and maple syrup.
A country name is sometimes used to reflect a bacon type popular in that country. Most common are American Streaky and Danish/Dansk-style bacon. Dry cured unsmoked bacon is often referred to as green bacon. Not readily available in New Zealand but sometimes mentioned in recipes is gammon which is bacon taken from the leg.
Middle and Middle Eye
- Middle - bacon that is taken from a whole loin including the belly
- Middle Eye - bacon that is taken from the loin with the skin off and no tail
- Middle and Middle Eye bacon is great for Bacon & Eggs, Eggs Benedict, BLT's
Shoulder
- Shoulder - bacon taken from the shoulder
- Shoulder bacon is suited to chopping as an ingredient in dishes such as Pasta, Risotto, Pies, Quiche
Streaky
- Streaky - bacon that is taken from the tail end of the loin or the belly
- Streaky becomes crisp when grilled and its long thin shape makes it particularly suitable for rolling or wrapping around fruits such as prunes or other meats. It is the streaky bacon that really makes the beef in fillet mignon and the chicken in bacon-wrapped chicken breasts and liver taste so good.
Always look for the 100% New Zealand Bacon logo, that way you will know that the bacon has been processed in New Zealand using only 100% New Zealand pork.
Streaky Bacon