Mangalitsa is a breed of pig originating mainly from Hungary and the Balkans. It belongs to unimproved European pig breeds (such as the Iberian black pig and the Alentejo pig) that are directly descended from wild boar populations.

The breed was created when, in the 1830s, the Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Joseph Anton Johann was given some Sumadija pigs by a Serbian prince. The Archduke then crossed them with Bakony and Szalonta pigs. At first, the breed was restricted to royalty, but as it has very tasty meat - it is considered by many to be the tastiest pork in the world - it was popularized and, by the end of the 19th century, it was the main breed of pig. in Europe.

 Fat, bacon and salami were products in high demand on the European market. Lard was also used in cooking and in the production of candles, soaps and cosmetics. Even industrial lubricants and explosives have been produced using pig fat.