Bacon. Traditionally, bacon is made by rubbing cuts of pork loin or belly with a mixture of salt and spices and leaving the meat for a week, before it is washed with warm water, dried and smoked. And you can still buy bacon made that way, if you're willing to pay for it.

How are pigs turned into bacon?

The belly with the ribs attached is first removed from the loin. The ribs are then removed (or scooped) off the belly and the belly is then trimmed up for bacon. The belly then enters into the curing process, much the same as ham. It is smoked and then later on cut for bacon.

What part of a pig is bacon?

Bacon can come from a pig's belly, back or sides ⁠— essentially anywhere that has an exceptionally high fat content. In the United Kingdom, back bacon is most common, but Americans are more familiar with “streaky” bacon, also known as side bacon, which is cut from pork belly.