World of Scratchings
'Pork Scratchings'
Around the world
In China
Scratchings are considered to have certain medicinal properties including being good for cardiovascular and cerebro-vascular systems
In Mexico & the USA
Snack food companies have produced a vegetarian version of the deep-fried snack with chilli and lime flavours
In Honduras
Scratchings are deep fried in a pot at the beach on Sundays and garnished with fried green plantains or fried breadfruit and coleslaw
'Pork Scratchings'
Around the world
UK:
Pork Scratchings
USA:
Cracklings
Australia & New Zealand
Pork Crackle
Latin America
Chicharrones
France
Grattons
Netherlands
Gknabbelspek (nibbling bacon)
Canada
Scrunchions
Quebec
Oreilles de Schrist (Christ Ear)
In Honduras
Scratchings are deep fried in a pot at the beach on Sundays, and garnished with fried green plantains or fried breadfruit and coleslaw
In Mexico & the USA
Snack food companies have produced a vegetarian version of the deep-fried snack with chilli and lime flavours
In China
Scratchings are considered to have certain medicinal properties including being good for cardiovascular and cerebro-vascular systems
Scratchings History
Scratchings are thought to have originated in the Birmingham/Black Country area of the midlands in the 1800’s, and that area still hosts the majority of Scratching producers today. By the 1930’s, more and more Black Country Butchers entered the fray, adding Pork Scratchings to their wide list of meaty offerings.
The Rind
95% of British produced Pork Scratchings are made from the rind of the 70,000 pigs that are sourced from Denmark and other European countries. These are 25 week old mainly Large White pigs.
Standard Scratchings are made from the strips of rind and underlying fat from the pigs’ back legs, just above the ankle.
Cooked in the traditional way, rind from the rest of the pig produces Scratchings that are too hard to bite.
Belly rind is turned back into bio-fuel, or makes its way to China or to fashionable restaurants.
The Radical Mr Trotter
We use a revolutionary preparation and cooking process, which means we can use more of the pig’s rind and produce a crunchier, punchier, porkier Crackling. But we are sworn to secrecy about it.
Pork Scratchings trivia
A snacking favourite
Sales of Scratchings in the UK increased by 50% during the 2014 World Cup up to around £28 million.
Britain’s money maker
The total UK Pork Scratching market is currently estimated at £60 million.
