I wonder if your experience with maple syrup is different from the author’s because of differences in pork belly size. My recent food experiences lead me to believe that sugar doesn’t penetrate solid foods deeply even when left over days or weeks. If that’s true, your unwashed bacon and the author’s could vary from the author’s by surface area. Or it could be a subjective matter of taste.
I wonder if your experience with maple syrup is different from the author’s because of differences in pork belly size. My recent food experiences lead me to believe that sugar doesn’t penetrate solid foods deeply even when left over days or weeks. If that’s true, your unwashed bacon and the author’s could vary from the author’s by surface area. Or it could be a subjective matter of taste.