What is special about jamon iberico?
The special aspect of Iberico is that it can go through this cycle two or three times. The result is a build up of complex, volatile molecules in the ham that transform it from a piece of pork into an orchestra of flavors. With the Bellota hams, the most miraculous transformation is of the fats.
Why is it called serrano ham?
Serrano ham comes from pigs with the oh-so-inventive name of “white pigs”. If you picture a pig, you’re picturing a cerdo blanco. These pink animals are a common sight throughout the world, and the breed is usually Landrace, Large White, Duroc, or Pietrain.
Why is jamon serrano so expensive?
Other reasons for the hefty Iberico ham price The free-range environment in which the pigs live also has a supply of olives, berries, and other nuts, which the pigs also eat, which can affect the flavor of the meat. It’s also pricey because it takes a long time to produce the ham.
What is the difference between jamon serrano and jamon iberico?
Serrano ham (or Jamon Serrano) is a Spanish dry-cured ham. The difference is that serrano ham is normally made from a specific breed of pig — Landrace breed of white pig. Iberico ham is processed in the same way as serrano ham and prosciutto, but its name is given based on the pig it comes from — the Iberico pigs.
Is Serrano or Iberico ham better?
We could say that the Iberico ham is the best quality of Serrano hams since it is cured essentially the same, but with a few important distinctions. The first of those differences is the race of the pigs. It has to come from either pure Duroc or Iberian pig breeds. Another big difference is the lifestyle of the pig.
Does Iberico ham go bad?
Because ham does not expire. The traditional way of making ham in Spain – both from white and Iberian pigs – by dehydrating pieces of meat using salt, means that although the organoleptic qualities of the piece may vary, eating it is not a health risk.
How do you know jamon iberico is bad?
As long as the mold has been removed from the area you are about to cut, then the jamon will be perfectly safe to open and eat. If you have however, already opened the meat, and there is white, green and black mold on the red flesh, you may have left it too long and this is not safe to eat.
How long does Iberico ham last once opened?
6-8 weeks
How do you know if Serrano ham is bad?
If it’s a long time between making cuts you should cut away the surface layer of your ham, which will tend to spoil if it’s left too long, with the meat becoming hard while the fat acquires a rancid flavor.
Does a serrano ham need to be refrigerated?
Serrano hams should never be kept in the refrigerator, even after carving has begun. If you do have to store your ham in the refrigerator you must remove it and let it acclimatise for several hours before serving. For the best gastromomic experience, always store and serve your ham at room temperature.
Do you refrigerate Jamon Serrano?
Store your boneless jamón in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic. Boneless hams can be divided into pieces, or can be sliced on an electrical slicer. Serve the jamón at room temperature.
Can Serrano ham go off?
As long as the seal is secure, the Jamon can easily last up to 90 days without opening. Vacuum packing postpones the expiry date of the product and maintains the intense flavours without the need to freeze anything. Although we specialise in Iberico Jamon, Serrano ham is stored in a similar way.
How do you cure serrano ham?
The Curing Process. On the face of it, curing hams is a simple process. All you need is salt, air and time. The process starts in conditions of low temperature and high humidity, and gradually the temperature is raised and the humidity lowered.
What does Serrano ham taste like?
The sweet taste of Serrano ham is owed to components such as amino acids and derivatives of sugar. In the curation period sugars are not added, but in the maturation, reactions occur that give place to elements which do contain small quantities of sweet flavouring.
How do you eat a serrano ham?
Serrano ham is best enjoyed simply carved into slices as a tapa with a little bread and perhaps a drizzle of Spanish olive oil. Chunks of jamón can be used to flavour stews or to garnish chilled soups such as gazpacho or salmorejo.
What is the difference between serrano ham and prosciutto?
Serrano? Both prosciutto and jamon serrano come from similar breeds of white pig, but each possesses different flavour and texture qualities respectively, Italian prosciutto has a sweet, delicate flavour and a less dry texture than Spanish jamon serrano.