Black Forest ham, or Schwarzwälder Schinken in German, is a variety of dry-cured smoked ham, produced in the Black Forest region of Germany.
In 1959, Hans Adler from Bonndorf pioneered manufacturing and selling Original Black Forest ham by retail and mail order. Since 1997, the term "Black Forest ham" is a Protected Designation of Origin in the European Union, which means that any product sold in the EU as "Black Forest ham" must come from the Black Forest region in Germany. However, this appellation is not recognized in non-EU countries, particularly in United States and Canada, where various commercially produced hams of varying degrees of quality are marketed and sold as "Black Forest ham".
Preparation
Food Facts & Information : How Is Black Forest Ham Made? - Black Forest ham is made in the Black Forest region of Germany by trimming the hind leg of a pig, rubbing the ham with seasoning, dry-curing the ham and then smoking the meat. Eat Black Forest...
Black Forest ham can take up to three months to produce. Raw ham is salted and seasoned with garlic, coriander, pepper, juniper berries and other spices. After curing for two weeks, the salt is removed and the ham aged an additional two weeks. It is then cold-smoked using sawdust and fir or juniper brush at a temperature of not more than 25°C (77°F) for several weeks, becoming almost black on the outside and imparting much of its distinctive flavor. It is then air-cured for at least two weeks before sale.
Characteristics
Black Forest ham is boneless and always contains about one-fifth of fat. It has a very pronounced flavor and is common in German cuisine. It may be eaten fresh, for example on holzofenbrot or rye bread or with fruit, or used as an ingredient in cooked dishes. Whole pieces of Black Forest ham can be preserved for months when stored properly. It is typically served at room temperature
Schwarzwälder Speck is bacon produced the same way and comes in two categories: Durchwachsener Speck has several layers of meat and half of it consists of fat, fetter Speck consists almost completely of fat. Both variants are with pork rind. The pork rind is too hard to eat, but it is cooked in some traditional German dishes like Linsen mit Spätzle or Eintopf to add some of its flavors to the food.
See also
- Prosciutto
- List of hams
- List of dried foods
- List of smoked foods
References
External links
- The Black Forest Ham Producers' Association
- The Cooks Thesaurus - Ham
- Chow.com - Black Forest Ham
