Although the ham and shoulder are, respectively, the hind leg and the front leg of the pig, there are quite a few differences between the two. Not only the weight or the price, which is lower in the shoulder, but also in the taste, texture, smell and performance. Enter the article and you will leave doubts.
As I anticipated in the introduction, there are many differences between a good Serrano ham and a shoulder. But what you have to leave behind is that thought that the front leg is of lower quality. At the end of the day everything is a matter of preferences and particular tastes. And I will tell you, that I am not the only fervent defender of a Good Iberico Ham Shoulder.
Main Differences between Serrano Ham and Paletilla.
Assuming that you already know which leg each one is, I am going to tell you the main and most significant differences that at the same time give each piece its personality.
You don't have to be a professional butcher to realize that a Ham is much bigger than a cured pork shoulder; The average weight of this being around 7 kilos for the smallest pieces, and easily reaching 10 kilos, even more. There are 30 kilogram Serrano hams.
The weight of the pallets is between 3.5 kilos the smallest, and even after 6 kilos the largest. Although its optimal weight, to get better performance, I recommend that it be from 4.5 kilos.
Another big difference is the taste. The Pork shoulders have a more intense flavor, thanks to the proximity of the meat to the bone. It is stronger, more intense, but less delicate, without so many nuances. On the contrary, the ham offers greater complexity, with a wider spectrum of notes and a delicacy with greater nuances, much softer and more elegant. But one is not better than the other. In fact, "the feather", that so tasty and exquisite cut of pork, is among the shoulders.
Online Spanish Hams and Pork Shoulders Store.
When buying an Iberian ham or Iberian shoulder, you should look at your personal tastes. Do you prefer delicacy or power of flavor? I have it clear, I prefer intensity. But it is something very personal, just like with wines.
In the Jamón Pasión online Hams store, we offer you a wide range of products so that you can choose according to your preferences. From 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham, full of nuances that will transport you to the Dehesas, to Bellota pork shoulders with their intense and pronounced flavor.
You can also buy Iberico Cebo and Cebo de Campo hams and shoulders, the latter raised in freedom in the fields and fed on herbs and wild fruits, which have nothing to envy from acorn-fed hams, and are cheaper hams.
Price of Jamon Iberico and Iberico Pork Shoulder.
Price is another of the great differences between ham and shoulder.
It is true that the price per kilo of a Spanish ham is much higher than that of a shoulder, but if we do the math, in the end the difference is not so much.
In a ham, at least 50% is usable, that is, half the weight is meat. But in a pallet, only 30% to 40% is used. Mathematics does not fail.
So, again, the important thing when deciding on one or the other is the preferences. Delicacy or intensity.
Whatever you choose, in Jamón Pasión you will be able to buy very good quality Serrano hams and Pork shoulders, and at all times we are ready to advise you before the purchase.