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KamaAina

(78,249 posts) Fri Jan 23, 2015, 03:03 PM Jan 2015

Who Killed Lard? [View all]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/02/03/146356117/who-killed-lard

A century ago, lard was in every American pantry and fryer. These days, lard is an insult.

"The word lard has become this generally derogatory term associated with fat and disgustingness," says Dan Pashman who hosts a food podcast called The Sporkful. "Think about Lard-ass, the character from the movie Stand By Me. I mean, he didn't want to be called Lard-ass."

How did this delicious, all-natural fat from a pig become an insult? Who killed lard?

Lard didn't just fall out of favor. It was pushed. It was a casualty of a battle between giant business and corporate interests.

104 replies

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Highlight:

Who Killed Lard? [View all] KamaAina Jan 2015 OP

Lard is the only way to go for true biscuits. sinkingfeeling Jan 2015 #1

Beat me to it! n/t benz380 Jan 2015 #4

I never have lard around, I will now. LawDeeDah Jan 2015 #19

True abelenkpe Jan 2015 #62

Um, well, yes, but vegetable lard, not pig. Fawke Em Jan 2015 #73

My mom... TeeYiYi Jan 2015 #88

Real lard makes Crisco seem like lead in biscuits. sinkingfeeling Jan 2015 #102

any flaky pastry. nothing else comes close roguevalley Jan 2015 #99

I actually use mayo, but many Southern women use lard still Tsiyu Jan 2015 #104

The best biscuits are made with lard. n/t benz380 Jan 2015 #2

Do you use all lard or mix lard and butter for your biscuits? ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #5

Making regular biscuits only use lard. Making buttermilk biscuits use lard and buttermilk. benz380 Jan 2015 #20

Try using 2 butter to 1 Lard, make sure the butter is chilled ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #27

Lard, Duck Fat and Bacon Grease are staples in my houshold! ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #3

Crisco? herding cats Jan 2015 #6

That's for bedroom fun not eating! ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #9

Haha! herding cats Jan 2015 #11

Hard to get off the sheets too! :headbang: ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #13

It's a laundry nightmare! herding cats Jan 2015 #18

Is Crisco compatible with latex or silicone? jberryhill Jan 2015 #24

Not sure have not tried, I like the silicone lubes now, which also stain the sheets! ChosenUnWisely Jan 2015 #28

It's vegetable fat. Fawke Em Jan 2015 #75

Pork fat RULES! MohRokTah Jan 2015 #7

Lard not dead fadedrose Jan 2015 #8

I have read that homemade lard is vastly superior to store bought, it is on my 'to do' list. braddy Jan 2015 #10

do you have hogs? ND-Dem Jan 2015 #16

No, but you can ask the butcher for the fat, ask him what day the pork comes in and for braddy Jan 2015 #22

My hogs have no balls and bread bags on their feet jberryhill Jan 2015 #25

DUzy! KamaAina Jan 2015 #30

Duzy indeed!! 2naSalit Jan 2015 #83

Oh ma gerd! I love it. Just l-o-v-e it! nt. ladyVet Jan 2015 #103

You can buy the good kind of lard in specialty stores-- called 'leaf lard'. Marr Jan 2015 #97

That makes sense, but at my income, making it is when I will probably taste it. braddy Jan 2015 #98

Eh, half the fun is in making it F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #100

Mmmmmmmmmmanteca Throd Jan 2015 #12

Do you sell RVs in the Central Valley? KamaAina Jan 2015 #15

I'm in Sac. Very familiar with Lardville, CA and the RV dealership ads. Throd Jan 2015 #45

Sorry, I don't believe they advertise down here. KamaAina Jan 2015 #46

Lard is disgusting melman Jan 2015 #14

Agree. It has an odor that lingers in the food. femmocrat Jan 2015 #69

My mom's best cookies & pie crust were made with lard cyberswede Jan 2015 #17

this is just a guess hfojvt Jan 2015 #21

I haven't a Clue. KamaAina Jan 2015 #23

you didn't read the link either? hfojvt Jan 2015 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author Politicalboi Jan 2015 #26

Lard has a place of honor in any serious kitchen. hifiguy Jan 2015 #29

Well, except kosher or halal ones, I would think JHB Jan 2015 #65

I will grant you that. hifiguy Jan 2015 #66

Here is a description that you may like. braddy Jan 2015 #85

I still use it all the time. cbayer Jan 2015 #31

Lard is something I've never used, SheilaT Jan 2015 #33

You can keep it in the freezer for years. PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #35

Why would I keep it in the freezer? SheilaT Jan 2015 #51

Like any food product, it thaws! PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #53

I suppose. SheilaT Jan 2015 #54

I think it was around the time 'scientists' claimed saturated fat led to weight gain, closeupready Jan 2015 #39

Lard fell out of favor a very long time ago. SheilaT Jan 2015 #52

here's the history as to why... PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #55

Huh. kcr Jan 2015 #70

Yep. hunter Jan 2015 #82

Same here. I was prohibited as a child from using butter closeupready Jan 2015 #58

Ask at your grocery store. SheilaT Jan 2015 #93

I guess so - thing is (as with other animal food products like butter or chicken, etc.), closeupready Jan 2015 #95

I think it all started with the guy who... fadedrose Jan 2015 #78

Trans-fats, high fructose corn syrup, unnecessary use of infant formula... hunter Jan 2015 #34

AIPAC DID IT!!!!11!!! tishaLA Jan 2015 #36

The removal of lard at KFC killed the success mmonk Jan 2015 #37

My grandma used lard in cooking. phylny Jan 2015 #38

Lard makes the absolutely BEST pie crust. djean111 Jan 2015 #40

The Almighty Buck and Convenience killed lard jmowreader Jan 2015 #41

a big reason the older generation KT2000 Jan 2015 #42

Ah yes! That was back in the day when McDonalds french fries were good! Rex Jan 2015 #43

Revolting. nt Codeine Jan 2015 #44

Everyone should read the recent book "Big Fat Surprise." Lex Jan 2015 #47

Lately sugar is being pointed to as the main culprit of heart disease. Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #61

Very well could be true. Lex Jan 2015 #81

The best lard is from a Mexican carcinita Drahthaardogs Jan 2015 #48

Manteca n/t PasadenaTrudy Jan 2015 #64

Thankfully, it was vegetarianism, at least for me kentauros Jan 2015 #49

"Floats by in clusters in our water supply!" Codeine Jan 2015 #80

a lot of authentic Mexican restaurants... IcyPeas Jan 2015 #50

The Paleo crowd is bringing it back oberliner Jan 2015 #56

Proctor & Gamble - early 1900's PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #57

baked salmon with Colbert sauce? KamaAina Jan 2015 #60

Yeah, I'll stick to natural fats. Butter, lard or olive oil depending on the dish. PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #63

Yech. Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #59

Oh, me too! And sweet, unsalted butter at that (I have bp problems). CTyankee Jan 2015 #67

Oh Hell yes! You put butter, EVOO, garlic, and wine in something Arugula Latte Jan 2015 #76

It was epic...never had it again, but tried...damn... CTyankee Jan 2015 #77

maybe when high carb and low fat was seen as healthy JI7 Jan 2015 #68

isn't the fat in animals/fish where a lot of toxins are stored? I use coconut oil KittyWampus Jan 2015 #71

People who care about their health and animals. JanMichael Jan 2015 #72

Jiffy Pie Crust mix has lard as one of the ingredients. haele Jan 2015 #74

So do most of those little fruit pies revmclaren Jan 2015 #79

This is my favorite article on lard and instructions on making it. braddy Jan 2015 #84

Lard makes the best meatballs. nt msanthrope Jan 2015 #86

Lard is better for you that margarine or other vegetable oils Blue_In_AK Jan 2015 #87

Praise the Lard daleo Jan 2015 #89

I bought lard recently to season cast iron pans. Lilyhoney Jan 2015 #90

Wait..didn't I read some where yuiyoshida Jan 2015 #91

Upton Sinclair JVS Jan 2015 #92

I grew up on a farm over sixty years ago Silver Swan Jan 2015 #94

mom kept a coffee can to pour in bacon drippings for other uses Liberal_in_LA Jan 2015 #96

My Grandmother taught me how to make pie crust. Puglover Jan 2015 #101