catalogs logo
catalogs.com logo

Types of Ham

By Editorial Staff

types of hamContributed by Info Guru Paul Seaburn

The pork industry’s famous ad popularized the expression “The Other White Meat,” but one big reddish part of the pig has never needed a publicist – the ham.

The rear leg of the hog can be purchased in two forms. Dry-cured or country hams are preserved by rubbing with salt and spices and then hung and air-dried for 6-to-18 months in a cool building. Wet-cured or city hams, are preserved by soaking in a salt water solution or by being injected with brine, spices and flavorings. Dry-cured hams are ready-to-eat, while wet-cured hams can either be pre-cooked or uncooked – check the label carefully before serving.

Because of its long history as a food staple, there are many types of ham defined by the regions where they originated, the type of hog it came from or the method of curing. One general rule is that the longer the ham was cured, the more expensive (and tasty) it will be. This list of ham types will help choose the right one for your next picnic, party or family dinner.

Before you continue reading about the Types of Ham there is a special announcement we would like to share with you. Catalogs.com has negotiated special medicare rates for our vibrant community of seniors. If you are over the age of 60, you can head over to our Seniors Health Section which is full of information about medicare. All you need is your zip code and a few minutes of your time to potentially save 100s of dollars on your medicare bills.

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!


10. Canned Ham

Canned Ham

The canned hams found in most supermarkets are wet-cured and usually come from parts of multiple hams. Most are pre-cooked in the can (check the label) and some require refrigeration.

9. Spiral-Cut Ham

Spiral-Cut Ham

Those spiral-cut hams sold by retail chains and online ham catalogs are fully cooked, wet-cured, smoked hams cut in one continuous slice by machine. These ready-to-eat, sometimes glazed hams can be served cold or heated.

8. Black Forest Ham

Black Forest Ham

Black Forest ham is a smoked ham named for the Black Forest region of Germany. In Europe, any ham labeled Black Forest must come from the region, but this is not the case for the Black Forest deli hams found in the U.S.

7. Bayonne Ham

Bayonne Ham

Also called Jambon de Bayonne, Bayonne is an air dried salted ham from the city of Bayonne in southwest France. They’re cured for 7-10 months and must come from one of eight breeds of hogs raised in the area.

6. Jamon Serrano

Jamon Serrano

Jamon Serrano is a less-expensive dry-cured Spanish ham made from the Landrace breed of acorn-fed white pigs.

5. Jamon Iberico

jamon Iberico

Jamon Iberico or Iberian ham is a dry-cured ham made in Spain and Portugal from black Iberian pigs that are fed acorn diets. The most expensive cuts come from free-range pigs.

4. Smithfield Ham

Smithfield Ham

Smithfield Ham is a dry-cured ham from Smithfield, Virginia. The original Smithfield hams had to come from peanut-fed pigs but this is no longer the case. Check the label to make sure your ham is from the town of Smithfield and not from the company of the same name.

3. Presunto Ham

Presunto Ham

Presuntos are dry-cured hams from Portugal, often made from Alentejano pigs from the Alentejo region. Presunto hams are also popular in Brazil.

2. Westphalian Ham

Westphalian Ham

Westphalian Ham is a dry-cured and smoked ham from hogs raised on acorns in Germany’s Westphalia forest. The meat is smoked with a mix of beechwood and juniper branches.

1. Prosciutto di Parma

 Prosciutto di Parma

Popular Savings Offers

Prosciutto or Parma ham is from Italy’s Parma region and is generally recognized as one of the world’s best hams. Sometimes made from wild boars, Proscuitto is dry-cured and served thinly sliced.

cc

Top Deals

See All

Recent Posts

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

Categories

Saving Tools

Follow Us

Logo

Since 1996, Catalogs.com has been considered the web's catalog shopping authority. Our trends experts have carefully reviewed thousands of catalogs and online stores and have featured only the most respected, distinctive, and trusted ones. From popular favorites to new discoveries, you'll shop and save with exclusive coupon codes!

Invitations for applications for insurance on Catalogs.com are made through QuoteLab, LLC and transparent.ly. Submission of your information constitutes permission for an agent to contact you with additional information about the cost and coverage details of health and auto insurance plans. Descriptions are for informational purposes only and subject to change. Insurance plans may not be available in all states. For a complete description, please call to determine eligibility and to request a copy of the applicable policy. Catalogs.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.