Pork chop

Pork chops, cooked and served

A pork chop, like other meat chops, is a loin cut taken perpendicularly to the spine of the pig and usually containing a rib or part of a vertebra. Pork chops are not processed and are leaner than other cuts of pork.[1] Chops are commonly served as an individual portion.[2]

Popularity

Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meats in the world.[1][2] In the United States, pork chops are the most commonly consumed meat cut from the pork loin.[3][4] In the United States, pork chops account for 10% of total pork consumption.[2]

Variations

The center cut or pork loin chop includes a large T-shaped bone, and is structurally similar to the beef T-bone steak.[5] Rib chops come from the rib portion of the loin, and are similar to rib eye steaks. Blade or shoulder chops come from the spine, and tend to contain much connective tissue. The sirloin chop is taken from the (rear) leg end and also contains much connective tissue. The shoulder end produces chops that are considerably fattier than the chops taken from the loin end.[1]

The so-called "Iowa Chop" is a thick center cut; the term was coined in 1976 by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. A "Bacon Chop" is cut from the shoulder end and leaves the pork belly meat attached.[6] Pork chops are sometimes sold marinated to add flavor; marinades such as a chili sauce or a barbecue sauce are common. As pork is often cooked more thoroughly than beef, thus running the risk of drying out the meat, pork chops can be brined to maintain moistness.[7] One could also wrap their pork chops in bacon to add further moistness during the cooking process.

Preparation

Pork chops are suitable for roasting, grilling, or frying, but there are also stuffed pork chop recipes. They can be used boneless or bone-in. Pork chops are usually cut between 1/2 inch and 2 inches thick. Improved breeding techniques for hogs have made it possible to cook pork to a lower temperature, helping the meat to remain juicy, while still being safe to eat.[8] Government guidelines now recommend a minimum temperature for cooking pork chops of 145° F / 63° C.[9]

Pork Chops

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pork 101: Know Your Cuts - Modern Farmer". Modern Farmer. 2014-03-12. Archived from the original on 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Pork Industry at a Glance" (PDF). Pork Checkoff Service Center. p. 19-21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-12-11.
  3. ↑ "Pork Chops - National Pork Board". Pork Be Inspired. Archived from the original on 2017-06-24. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  4. ↑ Kelly, Denis; Williams, Chuck; Caruso, Maren (2004-11-08). Williams-Sonoma Collection: Steak & Chop. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743261869. Archived from the original on 2017-11-03.
  5. ↑ "Pork Cuts: A Visual Guide". cimeatbook.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  6. ↑ Food and Wine Magazine August 2008
  7. ↑ Myhrvold, Nathan; Young, Chris (26 May 2011). "Cooking pork safely: the science". Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2017 – via The Guardian.
  8. ↑ "New USDA Guidelines Lower Pork Cooking Temperature". Pork Checkoff. 24 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Pork Cooking Temperature - Pork Be Inspired". Pork Be Inspired. Archived from the original on 2017-06-24. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.