Mumbai: You may be a voracious non-veg eater, but let us tell you, chicken and mutton is not the be all and end all of non-vegetarian cuisine. We bet you know next-to-nothing about pork except what your friendly nieghbourhood maca pau colleague feeds you for Christmas.

It is the favourite meat of people around the world. So if your job takes you places, we suggest you do a crash course in the different styles and flavours in which pig meat is cooked. Guys, here's a primer !

Salami
Fermented, cured and air-dried, salami is a form of cured sausage that is cut into small, rounded and thin slices. The name has been derived from an Italian root, sal, which means salt. It was earlier known as peasants' food, because it can be stored at room temperature for long, long time. Salami comes in various varieties and flavours
Hot combo: Salami is never fried. Because it is processed, you can eat it straight from the packet. Cut thin slices and add them in your soup, on pizza or in sandwiches
Also try: Place salami on toast and put some toppings like olives, sun-dried tomatoes and a sauce of your choice

Ham
The cured and cooked part of pork is termed as ham. It is usually the thigh and the rump of a pig. At times the shoulder is used too, but it is technically not ham. Ham is cut into thin slices and generally served cold. Finely chopped ham finds its way in your pastas as toppings around Europe. Hamburger, as is popular belief, is not made from ham — it is made with beef
Hot combo: Ham and eggs is a traditional British breakfast combo
Also try: Ham sandwiches and ham salads are also very popular

Sausage
Long, tube-like sausages are prepared from ground meat, animal fat, salt and spices. In India it is mostly made from pork or chicken. Goan sausages are especially famous. The distinct flavour is due to fermentation. They can be cured, smoked, grilled or even fried
Hot combo: Hotdog. In USA, a hotdog is made of beef or pork sausage. It is kept in between a bun of almost the same size. Spices and sauces zing up the flavour
Also try: Sausage and cheese tastes good. Get a wine to sip on

Bacon
Bacon comes from a German word, bacho, meaning back or ham. It is a piece of meat cut from either the sides and back, or the belly of a pig. Mostly it is cured and smoked. You get bacon made from beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, too. Cut into thin, long slices, it can be fried, grilled or baked like sausages
Hot combo: Bacon and fried eggs is great for breakfast. You can also place it in between your toast. Bacon bits are sprinkled in soup or on pizza as toppings
Also try: Bacon and mashed potatoes

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