History

What is pork?

Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig (Sus domesticus). It specifically means the fresh meat of the pig but can also be used for processed meat from the animal,such as bacon,ham,prosciutto,pancetta and so on.

The pig has been domesticated for as long as 5000 BC from wild boar in Near East or in China. They were mostly used for food but other parts could be used for many useful tools. For example, their bristles for brushes,their hide for shields and shoes, and their bones for weapon.

Before the refrigeration, the meat were preserved by the process called charcuterie. Hence,the pork products of ham,bacon,sausages,terrines,pates and confit.

The mass production of pork started in the 20th century.