THE FAT OF HAM, CAN IT BE EATEN?
- Armando´s European Food
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
The fat of the ham, that thin slice with its fat and infiltrated lard, allows you to savor most of the nuances as it melts on the palate. Many focus only on the lean meat, but it is in the fat where the key lies for the shine and aromas we appreciate when tasting it.
The fat in cured ham comes from the ham’s natural state, as no fat from other sources is added or mixed. It is a product made from the whole piece, including the bone. In the live animal, fat is deposited in the adipose tissue, inside the fat cells or adipocytes. In ham, this tissue is found in the bacon, or subcutaneous fat layer, and also between muscle fibers as infiltration or marbling.
Due to its natural characteristics, fat contributes significantly to the main positive sensory attributes of cured ham, such as smoothness to the meat, longer curing times that lead to more intense nuances, ease of chewing, and aromas. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy high-quality ham with some of its subcutaneous bacon, ensuring to remove the exterior (more yellow) layer.
An exception is found with acorn-fed Iberian pigs. The Iberian breed, native to the Iberian Peninsula, is known for being highly adipogenic and containing more oleic acid in its fat than other pigs. Ham from these pigs has very soft, tender fat that "sweats" easily at room temperature. In the mouth, this is one of the elements that contributes to the characteristic “acorn” flavor and aroma, both due to its own properties and the many compounds that dissolve in it.
Despite current negative views about fats due to their supposed cardiovascular effects, they are, along with proteins, the only essential macronutrients for humans. These fats must be ingested through food to obtain essential fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize, and a lack of them can lead to serious health conditions.
Fats are important sources of vitamins B1, B6, B12, and folic acid, which are beneficial for the nervous system and the brain. Cured ham, when consumed in moderation, is part of the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, the answer to whether the fat in ham is harmful is no—eating it occasionally has no negative effects.
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