What is this 'dark meat' part of the pork loin?

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man0fsteel

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 22, 2013
17
10
Sunny SoCal
Hello all,

I've been buying whole pork loins from Costco for years. I always try to find the loins that have the biggest portion of this darker band of meat attached. It is, like most dark meats, more moist and flavorful than lighter meat next to it.

Does anyone know if this part of the pig has a name and if I can just buy that?? I've tried to search for the answer elsewhere to no avail.

Thanks in advance,

MoS
 

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not sure what the actual piece you have circled is called maybe part of the deckle? not really sure though
 
No idea what it's called but I think it depends on where the loin is cut from the pig. It really is a great piece of meat. It's definitely a different muscle/muscle group than the lighter region.


 
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There's more dark as you get closer to the shoulder end. I like that end for smoking. For pan frying or cutlets or other fast cook methods, I use the sirloin end. Center cut is good for either.
 
If you ever have a chance to get some Berkshire pork loin it’s all redder richer meat.
 
Its just a different muscle. That part is really tender and when cured its darker too.
 
I hear the Berkshire is great tasting meat. Do you have to order it? Never seen it down here in SE MS.
I am fortunate that one of our nicer Kroger grocery stores carries it. They buy from an Ohio farm that raises them exclusively. I have bought belly at around $4.79 and loin chops around that same price. It’s is a much richer redder pork.
 
Thanks all - Sounds like it's not it's own 'cut'. SmokerJim - I was thinking the same thing...that it's like the cap of the beef ribeye.

Costco (and other butchers) sell ribeye cap by itself. I wonder if they will ever sell the pork version...Mmmm
 
I am fortunate that one of our nicer Kroger grocery stores carries it. They buy from an Ohio farm that raises them exclusively. I have bought belly at around $4.79 and loin chops around that same price. It’s is a much richer redder pork.
I'm sure some place sells it here in Los Angeles...but it probably costs WAY more than what you pay. The stores I go to that sell Berkshire pork bellies charge $6-9/lb.
 
I'm sure some place sells it here in Los Angeles...but it probably costs WAY more than what you pay. The stores I go to that sell Berkshire pork bellies charge $6-9/lb.


Around here they sell whole Pork Loins----About 9 pounds each, and the last couple years they are usually under $2 a pound.

Bear
 
Around here they sell whole Pork Loins----About 9 pounds each, and the last couple years they are usually under $2 a pound.

Bear
Is that for Berkshire Pork Loins? That's a great deal. I think Costco charges about the same for regular pork loins
 
Is that for Berkshire Pork Loins? That's a great deal. I think Costco charges about the same for regular pork loins

They wouldn't give me their names---Just their Rank & Serial Numbers.

Just kidding---I believe these were just regular Pork Loins. Bershire have to be a bit more $$$ than that !!

Bear
 
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Hello all,

I've been buying whole pork loins from Costco for years. I always try to find the loins that have the biggest portion of this darker band of meat attached. It is, like most dark meats, more moist and flavorful than lighter meat next to it.

Does anyone know if this part of the pig has a name and if I can just buy that?? I've tried to search for the answer elsewhere to no avail.

Thanks in advance,

MoS

I believe that's called the blade end (or rib end, depending where you're from) of the loin with the dark meat. It's often cut into boneless country ribs. It thins out pretty quickly as you move down the loin towards the sirloin end. Ask your butcher for a pork blade roast from the rib end of the loin. Bet it would make a nice ham.
 
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