A British weekend wouldn't be complete without a bacon sarnie. Laura Rowe looks at three of the best bacons out there, so you can celebrate Bacon Connoisseurs' Week in style.
Bacon: the facts
Bacon - officially better than sausage in a butty according to you - is a cured cut of pork. It’s usually made up from side and back cuts of the animal: back bacon comes from the loin, in the middle of the back of the pig, and should be lean and meaty; streaky bacon is taken from the belly and should have layers of meat and fat. It can be smoked, or unsmoked (otherwise known as green) and can be dry-cured or wet-cured.
Dry curing involves rubbing the meat with salt and sugar and will produce the best flavour and texture (and none of that horrible white stuff that comes out during cooking). For wet-curing, the bacon is immersed in a brine (or sometimes the brine is even injected directly into the meat) and this will produce lots of liquid in the pan and a flabby rasher. As always with meat, the best flavour will come from happy and well-looked after animals.
Heston from Waitrose, Vanilla Back Bacon Rashers
Best for? Those that like to experiment. The vanilla doesn’t overpower but adds an extra dimension to this outdoor-bred pork.
Lovefood.com tip: While Heston’s rashers taste delicious just sandwiched, try using them in cooking too. Cut the bacon into strips and fry until crispy; serve on top of this soup.
How much? For 6 rashers (200g) expect to pay £3.29 at Waitrose. Certainly not an everyday bacon but definitely worth giving a go.
Denhay, Smoked Streaky Bacon
Best for? Those that like their bacon crispy and can handle a bit of fat (people who cut off the rind should walk away now).
Lovefood.com tip: The fat in this bacon makes it great for wrapping around your roast, or even fish, when cooking. It’s a natural baster and flavour enhancer.
How much? Denhay bacon (and its equally good sister bacon Spoiltpig) is stocked in a range of local independents, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Nisalocally, Budgens and online at Ocado for £2.99 for 200g.
Tesco Finest, Unsmoked British Dry Cure Back Bacon Rashers
Best for? Your sarnie. It was the best value on our taste test without compromising on flavour or welfare standards (look out for the Red Tractor mark). A good everyday bacon.
Lovefood.com tip: This is a bacon that needs no messing around with. How about swapping the Heinz or HP with a homemade mayonnaise instead? Take Mat Follas’ advice and get out the stick blender – you’ll never look back.
How much? Tesco Finest Unsmoked Bacon costs £2.84 but the store is currently offering any two packs in the range for £5.
Find out more about Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week.
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