This episode surprised me. I thought it would focus on how intelligent the pig is, along with other personality traits of this amazing, but taken-for-granted animal. Instead it turned out to be mainly - as they label the pig - "a walking meat factory." Yes, this is mainly how they make tasty food out of the pigs. Also, it's noted how certain parts of the pig are being used to help save lives of people. So, "food" and "medicine" are the main topics here, not "personality" or "habits of the animal" or oddities of it, etc.
However, we do learn early on a few things about the pig that probably isn't known to many people, such as how strong it is and what a vicious bite it has. You don't get a pig really mad, or you're in big trouble.
Anyway, the subject here is bacon, pork, ham, spare ribs, pork bellies and a lot more tasty food the pig offers. We get a tour of several plants who sell a lot of pig-related meats. We see how times have changed, from producing fat pigs raised on lard to lean pigs given the best of food.....all designed to produce "the ultimate superswine," as they call it here.
An interesting side note presented in this program: "During the War of 1812, a New York packer named Uncle Sam Wilson shipped several hundred barrels of salt pork to U.S. troops. Each barrel was stamped, 'Uncle Sam.' This is how "Uncle Sam" came to represent the United States government." More importantly, the show's last segment features how pigs are helping humans deal with diabetes, heart problems, skin tissue repair and a lot more. Man, this is one valuable animal!
However, we do learn early on a few things about the pig that probably isn't known to many people, such as how strong it is and what a vicious bite it has. You don't get a pig really mad, or you're in big trouble.
Anyway, the subject here is bacon, pork, ham, spare ribs, pork bellies and a lot more tasty food the pig offers. We get a tour of several plants who sell a lot of pig-related meats. We see how times have changed, from producing fat pigs raised on lard to lean pigs given the best of food.....all designed to produce "the ultimate superswine," as they call it here.
An interesting side note presented in this program: "During the War of 1812, a New York packer named Uncle Sam Wilson shipped several hundred barrels of salt pork to U.S. troops. Each barrel was stamped, 'Uncle Sam.' This is how "Uncle Sam" came to represent the United States government." More importantly, the show's last segment features how pigs are helping humans deal with diabetes, heart problems, skin tissue repair and a lot more. Man, this is one valuable animal!
