You can see on the label of many Spannish Serrano hams the legend "Duroc", which refers to a breed of white pig that has some particularities different from other breeds; in fact, it is the only one, by law, that can be crossed with Iberian pigs.
In fact, when you buy a 50% Iberian ham, what it means is that the mother is 100% Iberian and the father is Duroc. This breed of white pig is used for crossbreeding with Iberian pigs because, compared to other white-coated breeds, they have much more infiltrated fat and therefore provide better quality to the crossbreed.
What are Duroc pigs?
It is a breed originating in the United States, but its breeding is widespread in many countries, including Spain, where there is a large production. The external appearance is that of a strong, robust animal, which adapts very well to the environment, with a very high resistance to disease, which is why it is easy to breed in many areas. Its skin is reddish in colour and its hair is longer than that of other white pigs; it is larger than the Iberian pig, and crossbreeds of these pigs can be obtained.
Its full name is Duroc-Jersey, as it comes from the crossing of two old breeds called Old Duroc and Red Jersey.
What is a Duroc ham?
A peculiarity that Duroc pigs may have, especially if they are 100% pure is that they have a black hoof like the Iberian pigs, but they are not. They are Serrano hams or cured hams; however, Spanish jamon obtained from Duroc breeds are of a higher quality than those obtained from other breeds.
Duroc hams are also crossed with other white breed pigs and very high quality Serrano hams are obtained, but the percentage of the crossed breeds is not specified in the labelling; however, we can buy Duroc hams, where in this case it must be labelled as such.
In our online shop you can buy Juviles Gran Reserva Duroc cured ham leg and Baza Gran Reserva Duroc Serrano hams, which are totally natural, without additives or preservatives, and Casa Conejos Duroc hams.
In the boneless Serrano ham section you can also buy the 100% natural boneless and clean vacuum-packed Duroc Señorío de las cumbres ham.
Trevélez hams, cured hams with PGI (Protected Geographical Identification) use a high percentage of Duroc in their production, obtaining pieces of great quality in texture, aroma and flavour.
Differences between a Serrano ham and a Duroc ham.
Not all Serrano hams are Duroc, and not all Duroc hams are Serrano.
All this is due to the established legal categorisation and the requirements that must be fulfilled for the different ham denominations.
Although familiarly we call jamon serrano to all cured hams that are not Iberian, legally only those that meet the quality regime established by the ETG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) under traditional production and processing conditions can be labelled as serrano ham. The rest that do not meet these requirements must be called "cured ham".
Therefore, a Serrano ham can be produced from pig breeds such as Landrace, Large White and Pietrain, so it will not be Duroc, but if a Duroc ham is produced under the conditions of the TSG, it can be Serrano.
The Duroc will always give us a plus of quality thanks to its fat infiltration and its more tender meat, unlike other breeds of white pigs, which are leaner, but less intense in flavour.
How much does a Serrano Duroc ham cost?
These hams have a slightly higher price than other Serrano hams that are not Duroc, but they are still very affordable in price.
In Jamón Pasión you have many Duroc ham offers. If you want to invest less money, you have the option of getting Duroc paleta serrano at a very good price.