In this post we are going to get you out of your doubts about the main differences between Serrano Ham and Iberian Ham. What types of pig breed are used for the different Hams and Shoulders; type of pig feeding, organoleptic properties and many more details so that, when buying Spanish Ham, you can choose the one that best suits you. The most expensive is not always the best, it all depends on personal tastes and the use that is going to be given.
Characteristics of Serrano Ham
The main characteristic, as you well know, of a Serrano Ham or Serrano Shoulder Ham is that it is obtained from white pigs. The most widespread breeds in Spain to make these products are, thanks to their genetics, their adaptation to the environment and their ease of hybridization between them, the Duroc, Large White and Landrace; American, English and Danish, respectively.
They are specimens that have been in Spain for several decades; They give well-shaped hams of a very good quality of meat, especially the Duroc. In fact, Duroc Serrano Hams are made, since they have the property of infiltrating their fat, a characteristic that the rest of white breeds lack; and it is the only one used, by law, to cross with Iberian pigs.
These white breeds are usually fed intensively, that is, on farms and based on feed and cereals.
Types of Serrano Ham
According to their time of matutation, we obtain Gran Reserva Serrano Hams, with a minimum of 15 months of maturation; Reserve Serrano Hams, with a minimum of 12 and Bodega Serrano Hams, with a minimum of 9 months.
The pieces most marketed in paw are the Gran Reserva and the Serrano Reserva Hams, and in most cases, if they come from good brands, the Gran Reserva usually extend their curing to more than 18 months, and more than 16 for the Reserva. You can even buy Gran Reserva Serrano Hams up to 2 years old.
The most appreciated Serrano shoulders and hams are those from Teruel, the only white ham with a Protected Denomination of Origin, and the fantastic Trevélez Hams, with Protected Geographical Indication, made in the Alpujarra Granadina (Sierra Nevada), entirely in an ARTISANAL way and 100% NATURAL, without artificial additives.
Characteristics of Iberian Ham
As the adjective "Iberian" alludes to, these pigs are only raised in the Iberian Peninsula, that is, Spain and Portugal. Their most important characteristic is their ability to infiltrate fat into the muscle, an exclusive property of these breeds, which gives Iberian Hams that peculiar and distinguished texture, color and aroma, as well as the beneficial properties they provide to the body. (As I read long ago, "an olive tree with legs").
When buying a Shoulder or Iberico Ham, you must bear in mind that they must be labeled according to the type of diet and racial purity.
On January 11, 2014, the provision of Royal Decree 4/2014 was published in the BOE (State official bulletin) with the approval of the quality regulations for Iberian ham, Iberian shoulder and Iberian loin cane.
Types of Iberico Ham
- 100% Iberico Bellota Ham: Pieces obtained from 100% Iberian pigs, that is, both the female and the male are pure Iberian; Raised in freedom and fed exclusively on acorn in the montanera season, and on natural pastures present in the meadows. This Ham has the seal or label in black; They are called Pata Negra Hams.
- Iberico Ham: These hams are labeled with a red seal and refer to the purity of the breed. The only difference to the previous one, since the breeding and feeding are the same, is that they are crossed pigs:
50% Iberian: 100% Iberian female crossed with a white male, always Duroc according to regulations.
75% Iberian: 100% Iberian female crossed with a 50% Iberian male.
The percentage of Iberian breed must be specified on the band of the ham.
- Iberico Cebo de Campo Ham: These are pieces obtained from specimens that are raised in freedom in the pastures or in an intensive regime but in the open air. Their diet is not based on acorns, although they have access to them, and their diet is supplemented with grasses, grasslands, cereals and legumes.
They can be 100% - 75% - 50% Iberian breed. They are labeled with a green seal and the percentage of Iberian breed must be specified on the band.
- Iberico Cebo Ham: these Iberian hams and shoulders come from intensively reared pigs (not free-range) and fed exclusively on cereal feed. 50% Iberian breed pigs are usually used, and the color of the label is white. You must specify the racial purity on the band.
What Ham or Shoulder Ham to Buy?
It is evident that an Iberian ham, and if it is acorn-fed, will have a more powerful texture, smell and flavor, and as we mentioned before, the benefits for the organism of oleic acid are an added advantage.
But it all depends a lot on the particular tastes and subjectivity of each individual regarding the sensory senses. A 100% Iberian Ham is going to give a fairly intense flavor, and it may not be the most suitable for someone who prefers less intensity. The 50% Iberian hams, being crossed with Duroc, a pig with a very good fat, will not lose this infiltrate fat characteristic from iberico porks, but its flavor will be softer.
Regarding food, an Acorn-fed Iberico Shoulder, for example, has a different flavor, neither better nor worse, than a Field Cebo Shoulder of course, and both are a delicacy, but again, someone prefers for personal tastes that the flavor is milder.
With Serrano Hams, if we want to taste them cut, in the leg, a very good idea is to opt for Gran Reserva Serrano Hams, 100% Duroc Serrano Hams or Trevélez Hams, cured in Sierra Nevada and 100% Natural. There are very successful Serrano Hams, well cured and tasty at a very good price.
In the Jamón Pasión online store, you have very good offers on Spanish Hams and Shoulders, from the best Iberian brands with PDO Guijuelo, Jabugo, Los Pedroches and Salamanca, to the famous and appreciated Serrano Hams of the Alpujarra. You can also buy cheap Serrano Hams with a very good balance and a very good quality / price ratio.
Do you know which one you are going to choose? Acorn-fed Iberico Ham, Cebo, Shoulder, Serrano Duroc Ham? Whatever you choose, if it is in Jamón Pasión, it is a sure hit.