For our purpose, there are three basic types of ham: fresh hams, country hams, and city hams. Fresh hams are rarely seen due to the popularity of cured hams. Because they are raw and uncured
Curing
Curing is any of various food preservation and flavoring processes of foods such as meat, fish and vegetables, by the addition of combinations of salt, nitrates, nitrites, and/or sugar, with the aim of drawing moisture out of the food by the process of osmosis. Many curing processes also involve sm…
What are the different types of Ham?
Types of Ham
- Cut. You can find hams that are sold whole or sliced. ...
- Smoke. The manner of smoking can classify some hams. ...
- Cure. Hams can also be categorized by the type of cure applied to them. ...
- Cook. Hams are also categorized by how they are cooked. ...
- Age. Curing and smoking involve a shorter amount of time compared to aging. ...
What makes a good ham?
ham profile on the end (or leg portion) makes the table ideal for picture-perfect reproduction. This meat gets leaner as it has a long bone and it lends itself well to carving. As the base of the ham is more tender and fattier, the butt end has a slightly richer flavor.
What is the best cut of Ham to cook?
While a boneless ham may be more convenient, a bone-in ham will be more flavorful and moist. And if you’re a little wary of carving your own meat, opt for the semi-boneless, which gives you the best of both worlds.
What kinds of ham are there?
United States
- Chipped chopped ham is a processed ham luncheon meat made from chopped ham. ...
- City ham is the name for a variety of brine-cured hams that are not dry-cured or dried, so must be refrigerated for safe storage. ...
- Country ham is a variety of dry-cured ham, referring to a method of curing and smoking done in the parts of the Southeast U.S. ...
What are some good hams?
Best Baked Ham Delivery Options of 2022Best Overall: Harry & David's Spiced Brown Sugar Spiral-Sliced Whole Ham.Best Ham Variety Pack: Porter Road's Whole Ham Box.Best Honey-Glazed Ham: Logan Farms' Honey Glazed Ham.Best Spicy Ham: Cajun Ed's Specialty Meats' Cajun Honey Glazed Ham.More items...•
What is the best cut of ham to cook?
The shank end has the classic ham look, while the butt has more usable meat. No matter the cut, we strongly recommend bone-in. Better flavor and texture.
What is the most popular ham?
Top 50 Scanned: Ham betaPopularity#1Honey Ham, Ultra Thin Hillshire Farm2 oz#2Honey Ham Oscar Mayer2 oz#3Premium Black Forest Ham, Old World Style Land O Frost4 slices#4Premium Honey Ham Land O'Frost4 slices46 more rows
What type of ham has a moist and mild flavor?
The deli or Sunday ham that likely comes to mind first is wet-cured. It undergoes a relatively quick process of soaking in or injecting a salt-based brining solution, then it's partially or fully cooked without "maturing" for any length of time. The result is moist, mild-tasting meat.
Which is better bone in or boneless ham?
There's a definite crowd following for bone-in ham! This has everything to do with the fact that the bone simply makes the ham taste better—it maintains the flavor and keeps its moisture in check, so you don't need to worry so much about it being too dry.
What should I look for when buying a ham?
Check the label. City hams can be artificially plumped up with water or solutions, but this dilutes the flavor, so look for one with no added water or juices. The label should just read “ham” — not Ham, water added or Ham with natural juices.
What is the tastiest cut of ham?
The shank end (or leg portion) sports that classic ham profile, so it's a good choice for a picture-perfect table. The meat tends to be leaner and it has one long bone, which makes carving easier. The butt end (the top half of the ham) has more tender, fattier meat, lending a richer flavor.
What is the most expensive ham?
jamon Iberico de bellotaThe most prestigious and expensive ham in the world hails from Spain and it's called jamon Iberico de bellota, or acorn-fed Iberico ham. One leg of it, weighing between 13 to 17 pounds, can cost up to $4,500. The most expensive jamon iberico de bellota available in the U.S. costs $1,400.
What is the best ham brand?
Here are our top picks for the most decadent hams you can buy.Honey Baked Ham's Honey Baked Ham Half. Honey Baked Ham. ... Nueske's Honey Glazed Ham. Nueske's. ... The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint. The Shed BBQ's Pit Smoked BBQ Ham. ... Omaha Steaks. Omaha Steaks' Duroc Boneless Ham. ... BUY NOW. Snake River Farm's Kurobuta Ham. ... Benton's Country Ham.
Is Black Forest ham the same as regular ham?
Black Forest ham is smoked over pine or fir and the whole process can take up to three months. It's a very moist ham and gets much of it's distinct flavor from the types of wood used in smoking. DI LUSSO® Black Forest Ham is carefully crafted and modeled after these time honored traditions.
What are the differences between hams?
Usually, the color of a cured ham is a deep rose color or pink. A fresh ham (one that has not been cured) will have a pale pink or beige color similar in color to a fresh pork roast. Country ham and prosciutto (both are dry cured) range in color from pink to a mahogany color. Hams can be ready-to-eat or not.
Is deli ham real ham?
Baked or smoked hams are generally injected with salt, water, and phosphates but retain the texture of a real ham. At the deli counter, these hams sport an impressive variety of labels, including baked, smoked, Virginia, maple, Black Forest, and honey.
What is the tastiest cut of ham?
The shank end (or leg portion) sports that classic ham profile, so it's a good choice for a picture-perfect table. The meat tends to be leaner and it has one long bone, which makes carving easier. The butt end (the top half of the ham) has more tender, fattier meat, lending a richer flavor.
Which ham is better shank or rump?
Both shank and butt ham are good sources of protein, which works in their favor. Because the meat on the butt end is leaner, it tends to be lower in calories as well as saturated fats. If that's a primary concern, then butt ham is the clear choice.
What cut ham for Christmas?
Pretty much any part of a pig can be cured to make ham, but the most common cuts are the shoulder and leg. In most supermarkets, you'll find both gammon and ham. Gammon has been pre-cured in salt and requires cooking (similar to bacon), whereas ham has been dry-cured or cooked and is ready to eat.
What is the difference between a whole ham and a half ham?
Whole Ham versus Half Ham A whole ham is likely more than you will need for Easter dinner – a half will usually suffice. What's the difference between the two halves? The butt half is the upper part of the ham. This is mostly “rump” which, in turn, makes this part more fatty but also more tender and flavorful.
What is Ham?
All ham is meat that begins as a cut of roast from the back leg of a hog. The back leg is the area from which fresh ham comes. Before it has any preparation, it is similar to all pork roast. For one to consider a piece of meat ham, it must be smoked, cured, cooked, or aged.
Criteria for Choosing Ham
When you are looking for the correct type of ham, there are specific criteria in which you should be interested.
Shank End vs. Butt End
The shank end ham comes from the lower part of the hog’s leg. When you think of a traditional ham on your table, it is most likely the shank end you are seeing. This is what you consider your holiday ham. You may have a spiral sliced ham. This meat is fatty and not as tender as the butt end.
Bone-In Ham vs. Boneless Ham
You have no doubt heard the terms boneless or bone-in when talking about ham. A bone-in ham is moister and gives you a rich flavor that comes from having the bone still in the meat. Keeping the bone in the ham does make it more difficult to carve. The bone can be used to add flavor to a soup, collard greens, and other foods.
Different Types of Ham
A Bayonne ham is a boneless French ham that is salty. It is salted and then dried for six months. This ham is named for the city Bayonne which is a port city in France. It tastes best sliced on buttered bread.
Step 1: Get Rid of the Bad Clams
You want to check your clams to make sure they are all good. If you see clamshells that are open, tap the top of them to see if they close.
Step 2: Gather Materials
You want to unwrap your clams, so they can breathe if you have not already as part of step one. You also want to store them in a cool place until you are ready for them. You want to make sure you have three big bowls. The bowls need to each be big enough to hold all of your clams. You want a scrub brush and cold water.
How Is Ham Made?
Hams are cut from the rear leg of a pig. The exception to this is picnic ham, which is really not ham at all. These “hams” are cut from the front leg. If a rear leg cut of meat were immediately cooked, it would simply taste like any other pork roast.
Types of Hams and How They Are Cooked
When you’re ordering a ham or purchasing one at the supermarket, you’ll want to know what labels mean so you end up with a ham that fits your tastes. Let’s look at some basic distinctions used to label different types of hams and talk about how each of these types should be cooked to maximize the unique flavor and texture.
Specialty Varieties of Ham
Beyond the basic distinctions we looked at above, there are many different types of hams hailing from places all over the world and with specific textures and flavor profiles that make them unique. We’re going to cover some of the most common specialty types of ham, including American hams and European hams.
Enjoy Delicious Hams From S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meats & Cheese
If you want to keep things simple and avoid comparing hams at the supermarket, choose a ham from S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meats & Cheeses. With a century in the business, we’ve created a solid reputation for excellent quality and tastes that remind you of holiday dinners at home.
From French and Italian to Honey-Cured and Picnic Hams
Ham is one of the go-to dishes for big family celebrations and holidays, and there are a number of varieties that are cured, smoked, and aged for different flavors and textures.
What is Ham?
All types of ham start out as a roast cut from the hind leg of a hog. This is called a fresh ham. Before it's prepared, it is no different than any other pork roast. To become ham, the pork is aged, cured, smoked, and/or cooked.
Types of Ham
Hams are sold according to a few different criteria, all of which will help you when selecting one from the store:
Styles of Ham
A wide variety of specific styles of ham are available for purchase. Choose a ham that suits your tastes and meal.
Hams and ham products
Elenski but is a dry-cured ham from the town of Elena in northern Bulgaria and a popular delicacy throughout the country. The meat has a specific taste and can be preserved for several years, owing much to the special process of making and the climatic conditions of the part of Stara Planina where Elena is located.
See also
Turkey ham – a processed food made primarily from cooked or cured turkey meat and water, formed into the shape of a ham and often sold pre-sliced.
Three major categories
is a raw uncured uncooked ham, usually with the skin still on. The meat is the typical pale pink to beige color of raw pork. It can be roasted, skin on or off, and it is especially good with the skin removed and smoke roasted. Use the skin for
Wet Cured Smoked Ham, Labeled "Cook Before Eating": Cook to 160°F
This ham is already smoked but it still must be cooked to kill microbes. There is no need to brine or smoke. Just roast at 325°F until it reaches 160°F internal. If it is not pre-glazed, paint with
Wet Cured Smoked Ham, Labeled "Cooked": Heat to 140°F
These hams have been brined, pre-cooked, often smoked, and can be eaten right out of the bag, but they are best when heated. Since they do not need to be cooked to be safe, you should not heat them too high or you can dry them out. 140°F is enough. If you wish, you can add more glaze during the last 15 minutes of cooking. I recommend
Dry Cured American Country Hams
American Country Hams like true Smithfield Hams are extremely salty. Some are made in the European style and can be served in their natural state like European Uncooked Hams (below), but most need to be soaked and cooked.
European Uncooked Cured Hams
European hams like Prosciutto, Iberico, and Serrano are rich in flavor, salty, and versatile. They are usually served uncooked, or crudo as they call it in Italy. They are sliced thin, often paper thin, and eaten unadorned.
Have I forgotten any major types? How do you cook your Easter ham?
All text and photos are Copyright (c) 2011 By Meathead, and all rights are reserved
The shank vs. the butt end of the ham
The ham comes from the hind legs of a pig. A whole ham includes the butt and the shank, but most of the time what you purchase from the grocery store is just half of the ham, either the shank or the butt.
Most hams just need to be reheated
Ham is easy to prepare. The ones available at the grocery store are usually smoked, cured or both, and usually already cooked, Proto said.
You can glaze or add extra flavors, too
Smoked and cured hams are usually flavored with sugar, salt and maybe some other spices. You can also add a glaze or other flavors.
What to do with all those ham leftovers
Because hams can be big, Ruff said home cooks find them intimidating or worry about having too much left over.
Bone-in Ham
The traditional bone-in ham provides maximum flavor and classic presentation. Not only does meat on the bone typically cook slower than boneless meat, it also can cook more evenly since the bone conducts heat. Also, proteins like albumin and collagen in the bone release gelatin, which adds substance and a rich mouthfeel.
The Best Spiral Ham?
A spiral-sliced ham may be the best type of ham for those who are not fond of the task of carving. The smoked ham is placed on a spit and rotated against a blade while moving lengthwise so it’s sliced in a spiral, right to the bone.
How Much Ham Will Feed 12 People for Christmas?
Most people eat around ⅓ pound of ham, so if you’re serving boneless ham a 4-pound ham will do the trick. With a bone-in ham you have to add extra for the bone; allow ½ pound per person, or a 6-pound bone-in ham. Factor in more if you want those great leftovers!
OK, What Is Ham?
Before we get into particulars, let’s sort out what cut of meat a ham is. Ham comes from the rear leg of the pig and is then salted and dried or smoked. A whole ham can weigh 15 to 20 pounds and can serve up to 30 people. Unless you’re feeding a large crowd (or love leftover ham recipes ), chances are you don’t need to purchase an entire ham.
The Most Popular City Hams: Bone-in vs. Boneless
Whether you go boneless or bone-in, watch the label for “Ham,” “Ham with natural juices,” “Ham, water added” or “Ham and water product.” Hams with less water have a stronger flavor and more natural texture.
What About Spiral-Cut Ham?
Generations of meat carvers have struggled to carve ham around the bone. But in the 1940s, all that changed when Harry Hoenselaar invented the spiral-slicing machine. It holds ham while an oscillating blade makes thin cuts into the meat around the bone. Now, spiral ham—precooked, precut city ham—is a heat-and-serve holiday classic.
Types of Ham
Varieties of Ham
- Now that you know how to classify different hams, you can assign each of the following varieties into groups.
Primal Cuts of Pork – Ham Cuts
- A butcher divides a pork carcass into several primal cuts. Pork primal cuts include the head, shoulder, loin, legs, and sides. Although ham is traditionally taken from a pork carcass’s leg primal cuts, today’s different hams can come from other primal cuts. The following is a list of pork primal cuts that are used as ham cuts.
What Is The Best Cut of Ham?
- The bone-in shank end portion of the legs are the best cuts for making any ham. Curing and aging allow the marrow to blend with the meat and ingredients, making a spiral cut ham the most flavorful of all the types.
Conclusion
- We hope this list of ham classifications and varieties can assist you in your choice of a flavorful centerpiece for your special occasion. Ham is a versatile food choice, and it is easier to prepare and cook than other meats, such as turkey. Additionally, any of the ham varieties can provide a better iron and protein dose than any white meat. Related Articles: 1. Ham, Swiss Cheese & Asp…
How Is Ham Made?
Types of Hams and How They Are Cooked
- When you’re ordering a ham or purchasing one at the supermarket, you’ll want to know what labels mean so you end up with a ham that fits your tastes. Let’s look at some basic distinctions used to label different types of hams and talk about how each of these types should be cooked to maximize the unique flavor and texture.
Specialty Varieties of Ham
- Beyond the basic distinctions we looked at above, there are many different types of hams hailing from places all over the world and with specific textures and flavor profiles that make them unique. We’re going to cover some of the most common specialty types of ham, including American hams and European hams. 1. Smithfield ham: Hams labeled as Virgi...
Enjoy Delicious Hams from S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meats & Cheese
- If you want to keep things simple and avoid comparing hams at the supermarket, choose a ham from S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meats & Cheeses. With a century in the business, we’ve created a solid reputation for excellent quality and tastes that remind you of holiday dinners at home. We source our products locally, and we ship them across the nation, so no matter where you are, yo…