Philippine ham or “ham” is one of the culinary legacies left by Spain after its rule that lasted 377 years. There are other traditional Spanish dishes that they have left as a legacy, but for many, ham is the most popular of them all.
Philippine ham comes in many shapes and tastes, but the most famous form is the ball-shaped “hamon de bola”, which is usually sweet. Although the ball hamon is popular, the Chinese ham is more popular and is also present on the table during Christmas along with the ball hamon. Chinese ham differs in flavor from ball ham in that it is both salty and sweet. Most people like this mixture of salt and sweetness.
The Majestic brand of hams is another sweet and salty brand that differs from this type of ham. The secret of its unique flavor is the curing process. The hams are cured in oak barrels and then aged to achieve their full flavour. It is seasoned with spices before cooking to achieve the perfect flavor. His brand has been established for over seventy years and is one of the most popular ham brands in the Philippines.
When serving Chinese ham, it must first be heated or cooked and then soaked in the accompanying sauce. There are Chinese hams and ham balls that are commercially available, but the ones that taste better are made by restaurants and specialty stores. The hams available on the market are usually made with preservatives that are harmful to our health. The more expensive hams taste better than the cheap, mass-produced varieties. During the Christmas season, people give Chinese hams or ball hams as gifts to other family members, friends and co-workers.
After going to the midnight mass or “simbang gabi”, 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 Christmas buffet or “Noche Buena” is not complete without the trio of Chinese ham, ball ham and ball cheese. The ball cheese or edam cheese is eaten together with ham and is usually placed inside slices of bread to make a sandwich. During Christmas dinner, Filipinos also drink wine.
Other countries have their own type of hams with unique curing processes, but the most popular and rarest is the “Jamón Ibérico de Bellota” from Spain. It is an acorn-fed cured ham that is best known for its distinctive, very nutty flavor that is very famous throughout the world. It has a very long curing process that contributes to its flavor and texture.
