How Ham Became Popular In Other Countries

Ham is made from the thighs and hump of a pig or boar. It comes from the Old English word "hamm". Country ham is usually cooked first before serving and it is the main dish in American homes during Christmas and other holidays.

In the United Kingdom, ham is called "gammon" while in Spain, it is called "jamon". Each country has its own version of ham and their curing process differs from the others which results to a unique taste that is distinct to each ham. Ham is also called Yule Ham and it is most prominent during Christmas. This tradition began as a tribute of the Germans to their pagan god named "Freyr". Freyr is symbolized by a boar and he is said to be the god of harvest and fertility. Ham is also associated with Saint Stephen whose feast day is during the twenty sixth of December.

Hamon is the name of Ham in the Philippines and it is also very popular there. It is usually served during Christmas as a part of the "Noche Buena" or the feast that the family partakes after going to the midnight mass. The ham is served together with edam cheese, fruits, and other delicacies. During the Christmas season, it sometimes given as a gift to friends or business partners. The serving and giving of ham may have been a Spanish influence as Spain is also one of the biggest producers of ham.

Ham may have had a bad reputation for containing a lot of bad cholesterol and preservatives but it may be because of processed hams made commercially. Hams that are made by small farms and reliable producers make only hams that are healthy. These independent farmers make their ham the proper way and not from ground up meat and other ingredients. It is unlike canned ham, where everything is done quickly and with not much regard to the taste and texture.

Spanish acorn cured ham or the bellota ham is the most famous contribution of Spain to the rest of the world. This kind of ham is cured in a special process and it actually contains monounsaturated fatty acids instead of the saturated fatty acids which causes heart diseases. The special curing process actually converts the diet of acorns of the pig into antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are good for our health.

Acorn cured ham is only comes from black footed Iberian pigs that are only found in Spain and in some parts of Portugal. This kind of ham is best served as an appetizer that is eaten raw and can be enjoyed anytime of the year.