IT'S the bacon that really has a bite to it. Melaleuca Crocodile Farm, near Mareeba, has been experimenting with crocodile meat to create new taste sensations.

The farm's latest invention is crocodile bacon, a smoked meat that farm owner Lavina Kennedy says tastes uncannily similar to real bacon.

The bacon is taken from the bottom side of the crocodile’s tail fillet and cured at Tarzali.

"You can fry it and have it with eggs," Ms Kennedy said.

"It tastes exactly like you are having bacon and eggs.

"It's a pretty good Aussie breakfast."

The farm is in negotiations to sell the bacon in shops.

In addition to croc bacon, the farm has also been toying with croc pastrami and even a croc curry.

"We've been trying to tailor the meat to suit people's tastes because not a lot of people really use and cook normal crocodile meat at home," Ms Kennedy said.

"We're just making it more palatable for people, so when people actually eat it, they actually enjoy consuming it as well."

The Australian crocodile meat industry is estimated to be worth at least $1.5 million each year, with most of the farms in north Queensland and the Northern Territory.

While it is still regarded as a niche industry, Ms Kennedy said consuming crocodile meat had a certain appeal.

"There's the novelty of eating crocodile as well," Ms Kennedy said.

"It's also getting a bit of your own back, for all the fish you've had taken and crab pots destroyed."

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