Pork lard is fat that has been rendered from the internal fat around the kidneys. Lard used to be the go-to fat for frying chicken and donuts alike, because it is very stable at high temperatures. It also adds a truly awesome texture to pie crusts.
In traditional diets, it was prized for being a high energy and highly nutritious part of pemmican, the quintessential grab and go food for folks on the move!