If you're a meat eater, chances are bacon will figure somewhere in your diet.
For carnivores, it's hard to beat a deliciously salty, crispy rasher nestled between slices of soft fresh bread - and the meaty treat has been known to tempt even the most hardened vegetarians back to the dark side.
So where can you find the best bacon? Writer Lea Dzifa Seeberg is a big fan of the humble greasy indulgence and set out to find the best - and worst - around for MyLondon.
She says: "When I was a teenager, the only thing that could wake me up on a weekend was the smell of bacon.
"And because my mother quickly realised the only way she would see me would be if she fried bacon, she did so every weekend.
"So I consider myself quite the aficionado.
"And though I've grown up and moved out, my love for bacon has never wavered."
Lea purchased single packs of unsmoked back bacon from Waitrose, Tesco, Lidl and Sainsbury's to see which one triumphed.
Here is her verdict in the battle of the supermarket bacons:
Tesco
Price: £1.50
Lea's verdict: " I had no problems frying this bacon and was as such hopeful for its further performance.
"In my book, bacon not sticking to the pan is the first sign of success.
"And I was right.
"Rather than salt being this bacon's entire personality, it took a back seat here to let the actual flavour shine through.
"And what fantastic flavour it was.
"Meaty, full, bold and clearly derived from an actual pig, this bacon was a winner."
Lea's rating: 5/5
Waitrose
Price: £2.25
Lea's verdict: "Waitrose’s bacon was nearly identical to Tesco’s in everything but price.
"The well cut slices fried perfectly and smelled like something that would have Homer Simpson running in a heartbeat.
"And along with flavour that could come from nothing but a prize pig, this slice could have been unbeaten.
"But I do have to dock a point for the price.
"At £2.25 for one pack, this was practically daylight robbery."
Lea's rating: 4/5
Sainsbury's
Price: £1.25
Lea's verdict: " Sainsbury's bacon wasn’t exactly user friendly.
"The minute it hit the pan, it fell apart into a dozen tiny bacon crumbs.
"If I wanted lardons, that’s what I would have bought.
"As I was left with a small pile of bacon scraps, I was really hoping there would be a light at the end of the greasy tunnel.
"Though my first bite didn’t leave me chucking my plate in the bin, I wasn’t exactly rushing back for more.
"Sainsbury’s bacon was slightly on the chewy side and it didn’t make up for what it lacked in structure.
"Though the bacon was reminiscent of pork, the sheer amount of salt overshadowed any hope I had of finishing my bacon slice with any taste buds left."
Lea's score: 2/5
Lidl
Price: £1.25
Lea's verdict: "The first thing that struck me about Lidl's bacon was how stupidly impractical the packaging was.
"Not only did I have to cut it open with scissors, but I also had to pull out the entire slab by hand and use my Christmas manicure to peel the layers apart.
"And when I cooked it, things worsened.
"My family had been pleasantly surprised by the distinct smell that was filling the house, but as soon as Lidl’s hit the hot pan the sizzle was drowned out by complaints.
"Not only did it smell like wet ham, but it looked like leather and tasted like the Dead Sea.
"Where good bacon should tear apart, this crumbled like dry bread.
"Where it should taste of greasy indulgence, this tasted like the flop it was: pure salt and disappointment."
Lea's score: 1/5
Lea's verdict
"For bacon that wouldn't look out of place in a butty or in a burger, Waitrose is your best bet.
"But if you don't want to break the bank, stick to Tesco for exactly the same experience.
"You should only buy Sainsbury's bacon in an emergency and if you value your taste buds, steer clear of Lidl entirely."
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