Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 20th, 2022. Would you check out the holidays being celebrated today and let me know which holiday you most want to celebrate and why. As for me I can’t wait to celebrate National Bacon Lovers Day and have Bacon at all of my meals today. Would you like to join me for some Bacon this evening.
*National ‘ Bacon Lovers ‘ Day
History of National Bacon Lovers Day
Bacon has been a part of our diet as a species since 1500 B.C., Pigs were domesticated from around 8500 B.C., so for seven thousand years, humans had Bacon right under their noses, and didn’t know it. The term ‘Bacon’ is used more precisely today than it was until well into the 16th Century, before which Bacon referred to any cut of Pork. The process of curing Bacon for human consumption has also been refined over the Centuries but has remained relatively the same. The only difference today is that the standards of hygiene have improved, and the scale of Bacon production and consumption has risen astronomically.
Bacon was such a desirable cut of Pork that in the 12th Century, a church in the English town of Great Dunmow challenged the married men to a wager of sorts. If a man could go a complete year and a day without quarreling with his wife, a side of Bacon would be their prize. Thus was the birth of the term “bring home the Bacon,” widely used today to describe a person who can take care of their family financially.
Fast forward a couple of Centuries to when the industrial revolution takes the Pork industry to a completely new level of production. Before then, Bacon and other Pork products were once produced at home. Most people kept private Pigs and regularly slaughtered their stock for consumption. Even in Urban environments, it was common for people to keep Pigs in their basements. However, in the 1930s, this was stopped. The late 1700s saw the rise of commercial Pig farming and Bacon production. With rising population rates and an increase in available machinery, Bacon was one of the first food items to be mass-produced. Bacon is still widely a household favorite to this day.
National Bacon Lovers Day Activities
- It’s Bacon Lovers Day, so we have to eat Bacon! Let’s not forget where bacon all started, with a side of Eggs and pieces of Toast.
- Bacon is one of the most versatile Meat there is and Bacon makes everything taste better. Would you like Bacon with that Olive?
- Bacon is a relatively inexpensive cut of Meat, and it does have decent protein and fat content for a family that might need the calories. Spread a little National Bacon Lovers Day spirit, and give to the less fortunate.
5 Ways Bacon Impacts Our Lives
- 268.04 million Americans consume Bacon annually.
- Of all the Bacon produced in the United States, 70% is consumed at the breakfast table.
- The amount of Bacon produced in America each year exceeds two billion pounds.
- In the 1980s, health movements attempted to change the story around Bacon, and Bacon sales took a hit.
- Did you know Bacon means “Meat from the back of an Animal?
Why People Love National Bacon Lovers Day
- We don’t care how Bacon’s prepared as long as Bacons well cooked, we’re in.
- Breakfast is often had in a rush, and not as a family. On National Bacon Lovers Day, you can enjoy a breakfast meal that honors one of our favorite cuts of Meat.
- Bacon is highly prized, and we can’t wait to share our love for it with our office family.
Facts about Bacon
- Bacon is one of the oldest processed meats in history. The Chinese began salting Pork Bellies as early as 1500 B.C.
- More than half of all homes (53%) keep Bacon on hand at all times
- Choline, which is found in Bacon, helps fetal brain development
- Each year in the US more than 1.7 billion lbs. of Bacon are consumed
- Did you know Bacon is said to cure hangovers?
National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
History of National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
As the only Nuts native to North America, Pecans have come to have a special place in many homes. There is evidence that Native Americans were consuming Pecans as far back as 10,000 years ago. The word ‘Pecan’ is thought to have roots in the Algonquin word meaning ‘hard nut to crack.’ With access to protein sources sometimes being limited, Native Americans would often turn to Nuts as a staple in their diet.
Sugar Pies were extremely popular in medieval Europe. As Europeans started to immigrate to America, many Sugar Pie recipes were re-imagined using local ingredients. Pecan Pie is believed to be a version of Chess Pie, which also has a Butter and Sugar Custard center.
Pecan Pies were likely being eaten before the 1800s, the first official published recipe was in an issue of “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine in 1886.
Pecan Pie’s big break came in the 1920s when the makers of Karo Syrup started writing a recipe for Pecan Pie on the outside of their packaging. This led to widespread awareness of the Pie and a massive surge in its popularity.
How to celebrate National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
- There are infinite versions of Pecan Pie recipes to explore. The recipe that really started it all remains Karo’s famous recipe from the 1920s. August 20th is the perfect time to give Pecan Pie a try and remember to add Chocolate.
- Pecans are so popular they even have a book about Pecans. Author James McWilliams published “The Pecan: A History of America’s Native Nut.” Which explains all the details of how Pecans have changed over the years.
- Chances are there’s a restaurant in your neighborhood that creates Chocolate Pecan Pie. Armed with all your new factoids about the classic dessert. Why not put their baking skills to the test? Go out for a nice meal and be sure to order a slice of Chocolate Pecan Pie after the main course.
5 Facts About National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
- While not every Pecan Pie recipe includes Alcohol, some recipes do. Whether it’s a splash of Whiskey or Bourbon, many recipes call for that extra kick.
- Chess Pie is a very straightforward dessert. A single crust filled with Flour, Butter, Sugar, and Eggs. The Chess Pie was popular in Europe and came to North America as Europeans immigrated across the Atlantic Ocean.
- The best part of Chocolate Pecan Pie is the gooey middle just below the surface of Pecans. During the baking process, Pecans will rise to the top, sitting just above the Custard middle that we all know and love.
- At Thanksgiving, you can find a battle between Pumpkin and Chocolate Pecan pie, with both Pies vying for the coveted dessert position.
- If you thought that Chocolate Pecan Pie was reserved for just a single Crust, think again. Chocolate Pecan Tarts have become a popular treat.
Why People Love National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
- Part of the Chocolate Pecan Pie’s popularity lies its ease of construction. With only a few key ingredients and straightforward instructions, Chocolate Pecan Pie is a tasty dessert that even novice bakers can bring to life.
- Pecan Nut harvesting takes place annually between September and November, which fits in perfectly with American Thanksgiving. Over the years, Pecan Pie has become a staple at the family dinner table.
- If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you are in luck, the Chocolate Pecan Pie variations are endless. Key ones we’ve come across include Whiskey Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Pecan with Bourbon.
Five facts about Pecan Pie
- A handful of Pecans provide nearly 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for Zinc.
- It would take 11,624 Pecans, stacked end to end, to reach the top of the Empire State Building in New York City.
- Did you know Texas adopted the Pecan Tree as its State Tree in 1919. In fact, Texas Governor James Hogg liked the Pecan Trees so much that he asked if a Pecan Tree could be planted at his graveside when he died.
- Albany, Georgia, which boasts more than 600,000 Pecan Trees, is the Pecan Capital of the U.S. Albany hosts the annual National Pecan Festival, which includes a race, parade, Pecan-cooking contest, the crowning of the National Pecan Queen and many other activities.
- Pecan Trees usually range in height from 70 to 100 feet, but some Pecan Trees grow as tall as 150 feet or higher. The Native Pecan Trees that are over 150 years old have trunks more than three feet in diameter.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
