Where does bacon come from?

Bacon comes from the belly or the back of a pig. Most bacon that's available is cured or smoked and comes either in slabs or slices. Leaner bacon tends to come from the pig's back.

Types of bacon include the familiar American breakfast bacon with its stripes of fat that melt easily and cause the bacon to crisp. Pancetta is another type of bacon and is a chief ingredient in carbonara sauce. Canadian bacon is cut from the loin of the pig and is leaner than American bacon. It's a common ingredient in eggs Benedict. Bacon substitutes may also be made from beef, lamb or other animals.