How Ham Came To The Philippines

Philippine ham or "jamon" is one of the culinary legacies left by Spain after their rule which lasted 377 years. There are other traditional Spanish dishes that they have left as their legacy but for many, ham is the most popular of all of them. The "hamon" or "jamon" is the must make or must buy dish during the Christmas season. For most Filipinos, Christmas is incomplete if there is no ham on their table.

Philippine ham comes in many shapes and tastes but the most famous shape is the ball shaped "hamon de bola" which is usually sweet. Although the hamon de bola is popular, the Chinese ham is more popular and it is also present on the table during Christmas alongside the hamon de bola. The Chinese ham differs in taste from the hamon de bola as it is both salty and sweet. Most people like this mix of saltiness and sweetness.

Another sweet and salty kind of ham is the Majestic brand of hams. The secret to its unique taste is the curing process. The hams are cured in oak barrels and then aged to attain their full flavour. To achieve the perfect taste, it is seasoned with spices before cooking. Their brand have been established for over seventy years and they are one of the most popular brands of ham in the Philippines.

When serving Chinese ham, it should first be heated or cooked and then drenched in the sauce that comes with it. There are Chinese hams and jamon de bola that are available commercially but those that taste best are made by restaurants and specialty shops. Commercially available hams are usually made with preservatives which are harmful to our health. The more expensive hams tastes better than the cheap mass produced varieties. During the Christmas season, people give Chinese hams or Jamon de Bola to other family members, friends, and business colleagues.

After going to the midnight mass or "simbang gabi" the people go home and eat their "Noche Buena" or midnight meal. It is also the time when the family exchanges gifts with each other. The trio of Chinese ham, jamon de bola, and queso de bola is always present during the "Noche Buena" or Christmas buffet. Queso de bola or edam cheese is eaten together with the ham and is usually placed inside slices of bread to make a sandwich. During the Christmas evening meal, the Filipinos also drink wine.

Other countries have their own kind of hams with unique curing processes but the most popular and rare is the "Jamon Iberico de Bellota" of Spain. It is an acorn cured ham that is best known for its very nutty and distinct taste that is very famous around the globe. It has a very long curing process that contributes to its flavour and texture.