Final answer:
Pulled pork is made from the pork shoulder by smoking it at 225°F for around 12 hours, resulting in tender meat that can be easily pulled apart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the pig used for making pulled pork is the shoulder. The optimal cooking conditions for pulled pork involve smoking the pork shoulder at a temperature of 225°F for about 12 hours. These conditions allow for the meat to become tender enough to pull apart, which is characteristic of traditional pulled pork. The slow cooking process at a low temperature also enhances the flavor of the meat and extends its shelf life, which has been a valuable preservation method, especially in the past for extending the availability of protein in diets heavy in starches.