Ethan Brooks
Bacon is a staple American breakfast food, with 70% of bacon being consumed as part of a morning meal. While it is now a classic American breakfast pairing with eggs, this wasn't always the case. So, how did bacon become a breakfast food?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Bacon is considered to be tasty. |
| Nutrition | Bacon is a good source of protein. |
| History | Bacon can be dated back to 1500 BC, making it one of the oldest cuts of meat. |
| Marketing | In the 1920s, the Beech-Nut Packing Company hired Edward Bernays, the "father of public relations", to increase the sales of bacon. Bernays used the opinion of physicians and the media to change public opinion and associate bacon with a hearty breakfast. |
| Religious influence | In the Middle Ages, religious organizations encouraged morning fasting. However, by the 17th century, doctors started to recommend morning meals, which is why breakfast is often dubbed "the most important meal of the day". |
| Cultural influence | Bacon and eggs are considered a classic American breakfast pairing. In other countries, such as Japan, India, and Nordic countries, breakfast options differ and may include miso soup, white rice, fish, roti, spiced potatoes, or open-faced sandwiches. |
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What You'll Learn
Bacon is a breakfast food due to a 1920s PR campaign by Edward Bernays
Bernays' strategy was to indirectly promote his client's product by shaping public opinion and behaviour. He consulted the in-house doctor at his PR firm, who confirmed that a hearty breakfast provided more energy. Bernays then asked if bacon and eggs constituted a hearty breakfast, to which the doctor agreed. Bernays instructed the doctor to survey 5,000 physicians, asking if eating a heartier breakfast would give people more energy than a light breakfast. 4,500 doctors agreed, and Bernays sent their responses to the American media. Headlines soon proclaimed that "4,500 physicians urge Americans to eat heavy breakfasts to improve their health", with bacon and eggs featuring prominently.
Bernays' campaign was a success, and bacon and eggs became an iconic American breakfast combination. This campaign demonstrates his sophisticated approach to public relations, utilising trusted experts and mass media to influence consumer behaviour. Today, 70% of bacon is consumed at breakfast, and while it may not be an everyday occurrence, it is likely that the average American includes bacon in at least one breakfast per month.
While bacon and eggs are not considered the standard American breakfast by all, they remain a popular choice on special occasions and weekends. The popularity of bacon for breakfast extends beyond the United States, with similar breakfast pairings enjoyed in various countries.
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It is a good source of protein
Bacon is a breakfast food that is enjoyed by many people around the world. While it is a popular breakfast item in the US, it is not the first thing that comes to mind as breakfast in most countries. For example, in Japan, people typically eat miso soup, white rice, and fish for breakfast.
Bacon is a good source of protein, which is essential for starting the day. It is often paired with eggs, which are also a great source of protein. This combination provides a significant amount of protein and can be paired with other breakfast foods like toast, home fries, or pancakes.
The pairing of bacon and eggs can be traced back to the Medieval times, when religious organizations encouraged morning fasting to restrict widespread gluttony. Meals were scheduled for the afternoon and evening, but laborers and those needing energy for the first half of the day did not always follow this rule. By the 17th century, doctors began to recommend morning meals, which is why breakfast is often referred to as "the most important meal of the day".
In the 1920s, the Beech-Nut Packing Company wanted to sell more bacon, so they hired Edward Bernays, the "father of public relations," to boost demand for bacon at breakfast time. Bernays asked his agency's doctor if a larger meal in the morning would be beneficial for people's health, and the doctor confirmed that it would provide more energy at the start of the day. Bernays then had the doctor write to 5,000 other physicians, and over 4,500 agreed with the statement. This led to newspaper headlines such as "4,500 physicians urge Americans to eat heavy breakfasts to improve their health," with bacon and eggs being referenced as the perfect hearty breakfast.
While the PR campaign played a significant role in popularizing bacon as a breakfast food, it is important to note that bacon has been consumed as a source of protein for centuries. Bacon can be dated back to 1500 BC, making it one of the oldest cuts of meat.
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Bacon is easy to cure and keep
In the 1920s, Beech-Nut Packing Company wanted to sell more bacon, so they hired Edward Bernays, the "father of public relations", to boost demand for bacon. Bernays asked his agency's doctor if a larger meal in the morning would be beneficial to people's health. The doctor agreed and wrote to 5,000 other physicians, asking for their opinion. More than 4,500 agreed, and Bernays pitched the story to newspapers. Headlines such as "4,500 physicians urge Americans to eat heavy breakfasts to improve their health" started appearing, with many articles mentioning bacon and eggs as the perfect hearty breakfast.
Bacon was also easy to keep and cure, which made it a convenient breakfast option. In the past, eggs and a small animal for slaughter, such as a chicken, were easy to keep. When a pig was slaughtered, the meat could be cured and consumed over time. Eggs were also a good source of daily nutrients. Thus, bacon and eggs became a classic American breakfast pairing.
Today, bacon is a staple American breakfast food. It is served at almost every breakfast restaurant and is a meat option in most breakfast meals, including omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, and even crumbled on top of doughnuts. The average American eats 18 pounds of bacon each year, 70% of which is consumed at breakfast. While some people may not eat bacon regularly, it is likely that bacon is part of at least one breakfast per month for the average American.
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It is a tasty, indulgent treat
Bacon is a tasty, indulgent treat, and its popularity as a breakfast food is down to a number of factors. Firstly, bacon is cured meat, which means it can be preserved and eaten over time. In the past, when most people kept chickens, eggs were a daily food item and bacon could be stored and eaten alongside them.
Secondly, bacon is high in protein and fat, providing a large amount of energy. In the 1920s, the Beech-Nut Packing Company wanted to sell more bacon, so they hired Edward Bernays, the "father of public relations", to boost demand for bacon at breakfast time. Bernays' PR agency doctor confirmed that a larger meal in the morning would be beneficial for people's health, and that bacon and eggs constituted a big, hearty breakfast. Bernays then had the doctor write to 5,000 other physicians, asking for their agreement. Over 4,500 wrote back in agreement, and Bernays pitched the story to newspapers. Headlines such as "4,500 physicians urge Americans to eat heavy breakfasts to improve their health" followed, with many articles referencing bacon and eggs as the perfect hearty breakfast.
This clever PR strategy worked, and bacon sales increased. The combination of bacon and eggs also creates umami, the fifth flavour type, which is a reaction to glutamate and nucleotide molecules present in certain foods. This flavour-enhancing effect may also be a reason why bacon is such a popular breakfast food.
However, it is important to note that bacon is considered by some to be a treat food due to its high fat and salt content. It is not an everyday breakfast food for most people, but a treat for special occasions or a monthly indulgence.
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Bacon is versatile and can be served in many ways
Bacon is a versatile food that can be served in many ways, making it a popular breakfast choice. While bacon is often paired with eggs, it can also be served with a variety of other breakfast foods such as toast, home fries, or pancakes. Bacon can be a side dish or the main event, crumbled on top of doughnuts, or served as part of an omelet or breakfast sandwich.
Bacon's versatility extends beyond the breakfast table, with applications in a range of dishes. It can be used as a topping, a garnish, or a flavour enhancer in salads, soups, and pasta dishes. Its salty, savoury flavour and crispy texture make it a popular ingredient in both home cooking and restaurant cuisine.
The popularity of bacon can also be attributed to its convenience and ease of preparation. Bacon can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, grilling, and baking, and it can be served hot or cold. It has a long shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it a convenient option for those who want a quick and easy meal.
In addition to its versatility and convenience, bacon also has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It is one of the oldest cuts of meat, with records of bacon consumption dating back to 1500 BC. The phrase "bringing home the bacon" originated in 12th-century England, showcasing the cultural significance of bacon in medieval times.
Today, bacon remains a beloved breakfast food, with 70% of bacon consumption occurring at breakfast. Its popularity can be attributed to its flavour, convenience, and the successful marketing campaigns of the early 20th century that positioned bacon and eggs as the ideal hearty breakfast.
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Frequently asked questions
Bacon is considered a breakfast food because of a successful PR campaign by Edward Bernays for the Beech-Nut Packing Company in the 1920s. Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud, was hired to sell more bacon. He asked his agency's doctor if a larger meal in the morning would be beneficial for people's health, to which the doctor responded with confirmation. Bernays then had the doctor write to 5,000 other physicians, asking for their agreement. Receiving more than 4,500 positive responses, Bernays pitched the story to the media, with headlines reading, "4,500 physicians urge Americans to eat heavy breakfasts to improve their health." Many of the articles referenced bacon and eggs as the ideal hearty breakfast.
While bacon and eggs are considered a classic American breakfast, it is not the first thing that comes to mind as breakfast in most countries. Breakfast foods vary across different countries and regions. For example, in Japan, people typically eat miso soup, white rice, and fish for breakfast, accompanied by green tea. In India, breakfast foods vary by region but are usually similar to lunch or dinner foods, including roti, dosa, spiced potatoes, or various chutneys.
People eat bacon for breakfast because it is tasty and provides a high dose of protein when paired with eggs. Additionally, bacon is easily accessible, as it is served in almost every breakfast restaurant and included in various breakfast meals, such as omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and even crumbled on top of doughnuts.
