Spanish Ham: A Treat For Your Taste

By Author: Bensmith Taylor
Total Articles: 5
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Serrano ham could be a Spanish cured ham that's made using ways the same as the assembly of the "Parma" ham of Italy or the "Jambon Cru" of France. This Spanish version of cured ham could also be made equally to the opposite hams mentioned before however it's its own distinctive style, texture, and aroma.

The Serrano ham is one in every of the key ingredients in Spanish cuisine and its rise in popularity has created it obtainable to different elements of Europe and even the planet. When served in terribly skinny slices, it will become a pleasant snack. It may be used to flavour a spread of dishes like pasta, soups, and vegetables. Serrano ham is widely widespread in Spain attributable to its advanced flavours and it's even treated like wine where ham aficionados and specialists organize regular tastings.

Serrano suggests that "from the mountain" in Spanish as this ham is cured within the mountainous areas of Spain where the cool dry mountain air helps within the curing method. There are 3 stages concerned within the curing method of Serrano ham. the primary stage is that the meat is cut, cleaned, and then stacked ...
... on high of every different and lined with a generous quantity of salt. this can be to lengthen the surplus moisture from the meat to preserve and sanitize. This stage lasts for 2 weeks and then the second stage follows. the surplus salt is washed away and therefore the hams are strung up on ceilings to dry and this can be when the primary curing section starts.

This is the beginning of the curing method and a series of chemical changes happens whereas the fat begins to interrupt down. This stage takes concerning six months. The last stage is where the hams are left to air dry in an exceedingly cool space known as secaderos that are situated at higher altitudes, so the term "Serrano". this can be the stage where the flavours and aromas develop to the maximum; this typically lasts from half dozen to eighteen months counting on several factors concerned like climate, size, type, and weight of the ham being cured. the value and quality of the ensuing ham depends on the cut, form of hog, and therefore the feeds used.

Hams that return from the Iberian breed of pigs are going to be of the best quality and so can command the most effective value. The white pigs or specifically the breeds coming back from the massive White, Duroc, and Landrace are thought-about additional value effective in raising than the Iberian selection will yield smart tasting ham however at a way cheaper value.

The most expensive ham comes from Iberian pigs that are raised on a diet of acorns solely. Ham that comes from this breed of pigs is named Jamon Iberico de Bellota. Bellota is Spanish for acorn and it's the explanation why ham coming back from these pigs have a awfully distinct and nutty style.