How to preserve Serrano ham: Effective methods for preserving Serrano ham at home.

Have you just bought a Serrano ham and are wondering how best to preserve it? Here are some simple, tried-and-tested techniques to guarantee the freshness of your ham all year round.

Salting: an ancestral preservation method

The origins of Serrano ham are closely linked to meat preservation methods that go back centuries. Historically, to preserve meat, it was salted to extract moisture, then left to dry in the open air. This technique enabled meat to be consumed for many months.

In wetter regions, the method was similar, but smoking was often added to the drying process to ensure optimum preservation and prevent loss.

Preservation without refrigeration

A notable advantage of Serrano ham is that it needs no refrigeration. It is highly resistant to various temperatures and is often sold out of the fridge in supermarkets. OurUniquia Serrano hams are matured naturally in the climatic conditions of the Sierra de Granada, where temperatures vary enormously between winter and summer, sometimes reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

Shipping your ham.

Whole hams are always shipped at room temperature. If it's hot, they'll sweat a little fat, but that's all. Your ham will arrive perfectly.

For boned and sliced hams, you have the choice between standard or refrigerated shipping, which has an additional charge. This is a good choice if you're very sensitive to good food preservation. However, most orders are placed at room temperature.

Practical tips for home storage

You've received your ham and you're wondering: How to store Serrano ham?

Whole hams

If you've ordered a whole bone-in Serrano ham, simply place it on a ham rack and leave it at room temperature in your kitchen. If the environment is warm, it's normal for the ham to sweat and release a little fat. If mold appears on the cut area after a period of non-use, simply cut and discard a thin slice before eating the rest.

If you've bought a whole ham, we advise you to cut it often so that the top is neither dry nor mouldy. Cover your ham with a cloth.

Another tip is to take the whole ham out of its packaging. If you leave it in its packaging for a few days, it will develop surface mold. This is normal and can be easily removed with a little kitchen paper and oil. Think about this if your ham is a gift. More days in the carton means more mold and a less attractive ham.

Boned and sliced hams

Sliced andboned hams require different storage conditions. It's best to keep them in a cool place, wrapped in cling film. This will prolong their shelf life and keep the slices fresh.

Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.

Just remember that Serrano ham is very easy to store and can withstand a wide range of temperatures.

The producers' advice for hams on the bone is to keep them in a cool, dry place, and for boned and sliced hams, some put "keep in a cool, dry place" on their label, while others "keep in a cold place".