Pork Cuts | Pork is
one of the oldest known sources of domesticated protein. Pork is the meat from
hogs, or domestic swine. The domestication of "pigs" (immature hogs) for food
dates back to about 7000 B.C. in the Middle East. However, evidence shows that
Stone Age man ate wild boar, the hog's ancestor, and the earliest surviving
pork recipe is Chinese, at least 2000-years old.
Columbus
is
said
to
have
brought
eight
pigs
to
the
New
Worlds
on
his
second
voyage.
Cortez
brought
a
drove
and
Desoto
brought
13
hogs.
Pork
has
been
a
staple
in
the
American
diet
ever
since.
The
Eastern
Indians
learned
to
roast
it
and
when
the
covered
wagons
went
West
they
carried
their
hogs.
Pork is the world's most widely eaten meat despite the fact that four leading religions, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and some forms of Christianity impose some form of restriction on its consumption. For example, Buddhism has a tendency to gravitate towards vegetarianism (Buddha himself was supposed to have died from eating bad pork) while Judaism and Islam forbid its consumption. Improvements in breeding, hygiene, transport and spoilage control have combined to make it a meat that is of good quality year around. Young meat that is firm and fine-grained, its fat is white, its skin thin and smooth is considered the most desirable. Pork is generally produced from young animals (6 to 7 months old) that weigh from 175 to 240 pounds. Much of a hog is cured and made into ham, bacon and sausage. Uncured meat is called "fresh pork." Pork joints in Britain have the skin or rind left on for roasting or baking. The skin is then scored in narrow strips which allow for spice rubs and herbs to penetrate. When roasted the rind develops into crackling, which at its best is a dry, crisp honeycomb of bubbles with intense flavor. In the United State the skin is usually removed. The Chinese are considered to be the most expert cooks of pork. Most commonly, the Chinese chop it into thin slices or shreds then stir fry it. The Chinese are famous for their preparation and use of spareribs. |
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Butchery Chart/Myology | |||
Recipes | |||
Quality and Grading Standards | |||
Storage & Handling | |||
Ham | |||
Loin | |||
Pork Belly | |||
Picnic Shoulder | |||
Boston Shoulder | |||
Spareribs | |||
Weight Range and Tolerances | |||
Selection | |||
Meat Proteins | |||
Sausage Types | |||
Glossary Meat Terms | |||
Test Your Knowledge | |||
Pork Cuts Master | |||
Measurement & Reference | |||
Pigs |