h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

While "pork scratchings" seems to be an unappetizing taste treat in Great Britain, "pork rinds" are a Southern delicacy in the Americas. Rather resembling fluffy pieces of pig-flavored styrofoam, they're low in calorie and go great with beer. There are no hairs on pork rinds. I'm not sure why they omitted them, but I'm happy with the decision. Best with beer: hot & spicy pork rinds - especially with Shiner Boch.

Pork scratchings vary tremendously.
I think it may be the temperature of the fryer.
As previusly stated there is often something attached (like hairs) that you don't normally expect. Sometimes you get a bit of pork - which is a "toothsome tidbit" to quote from Don Martin.

A well manicured British porcine, will be devoid of body hair.

I believe they can use blow torches to remove unwanted hair from the rinds - so I guess the bits with hair on are there on purpose!

The quality of British pork scratchings has got worse in latter years. I remember fondly as a kid sharing a pack or two with my parents. Recently I've bought the packs sold in supermarkets (gold foil packets with an old car on the front) and they are, quite frankly, awful....I moved to USA and they have "pork rinds" sold by a company called GOYA. They are even worse; I think they are pieces of fried soya or something sprayed with pig flavourings. Totally awful.

I'll stick to peanuts for the time being.

For better quality pork rinds, look for a package with "Chicharrones" printed on it. (Spanish for pork rinds). Tom's are my second favorite (no, I'm not a pork rind connoiseur).