How and how much ham can be stored at home
People are often interested in the question of how best to store ham. To keep this Spanish delicacy fresh for as long as possible, it needs to be provided in the right conditions. First of all, it is worth monitoring the temperature and humidity. The form of release of the ham is also important. The storage of the product on the bone and in a vacuum is significantly different.
What is the product
Jamon is considered a delicacy that appeared 2000 years ago. To prepare it, you need to take the hind leg of the pig. First, the meat must be salted, after which it is dried and dried. This exquisite delicacy is popular all over the world. That is why many people are interested in the question of its storage.
Features of jamon storage
To maximize the shelf life of meat, it must be properly stored. In this case, a number of features should be considered:
- Although jamon is considered a type of raw meat, it is recommended to store it at room temperature. Under the influence of low temperatures, the product may lose its unique qualities.
- The uncut leg can be hung in the closet or on the balcony. This must be done without packaging.In this case, compliance with the temperature regime is especially important.
- Jamon needs to breathe. Therefore, the film is used exclusively for transport. The same goes for paper or foil. After a few hours in the packaging, the ham loses its taste.
- Slicing is allowed for 3-4 months. In order to increase the shelf life, it is recommended to properly manage the cut and provide suitable storage conditions.
- Ham should not be stored near fragrant foods. Its fibers strongly absorb aromas, which leads to rapid deterioration of the product.
- The formation of mold on the surface is not indicative of deterioration. If the colonies are of noble origin, it is enough to wipe the ham with a natural cloth soaked in olive oil. It is recommended to remove the skin after this treatment, as it may develop a bitter taste.
- Freezing ham is strictly prohibited. Regardless of the increase in shelf life, the taste will be completely spoiled.
- Chopped ham sold vacuum-packed should be consumed within hours of opening. If necessary, the product can be returned to a tightly closed container. However, this will not increase its shelf life too much.
Optimal storage conditions
There are a number of options for storing jamon. To achieve good results in this area, several characteristics should be considered.
Temperature
It is allowed to keep the leg on the bone at home or in the cellar. In this case, the temperature should not exceed +18 degrees. Sliced product should be stored in the refrigerator. Temperature readings should not exceed +5 degrees.
Lighting
The product perceives natural daylight well.However, it should not be exposed to artificial light sources.
Humidity
The humidity parameters are of great importance to maintain the freshness of the ham.
This figure should not exceed 65%.
How to store it properly
Storage features directly depend on the type of product. This must certainly be taken into account.
on the bone
For the price, buying bone-in jerky is considered a more affordable option. If the storage rules are observed, the product can retain its quality for a long time. Jamon needs to stay on the phone. The temperature regime should be + 15-20 degrees.
It is recommended to keep the temperature constant. Sharp fluctuations in this indicator reduce the quality of the product. To extend the shelf life, it is treated with animal fat. You can also use olive oil for this purpose.
Pork, which is sold vacuum-packed, is stored at +2-10 degrees. It is recommended to immediately grease the cutting area. This contributes to the creation of a protective film on the surface. Due to compliance with all the necessary rules, the product remains fresh for 3-4 months. If you break the rules for storing ham, you will have to get rid of spoiled areas all the time.
To slice
Sliced pork should be eaten immediately. Long term storage is not recommended. If you need to store the cut product, place it on a dish and wrap it with a damp cloth. It is also allowed to use foil. In this case, it is recommended to ensure that the packaging does not touch the product.
It takes 10 to 12 hours to store chopped ham in the refrigerator. At the same time, it is forbidden to wrap it in cling film or put it in an airtight plastic container.
It is recommended to keep the meat in a warm place for 10 hours before eating it. Thanks to this, it will acquire a pronounced taste and aroma. The beautiful shine of the surface testifies to correct storage.
vacuum packed
The boneless ham can be kept for 1 year under vacuum. In this case, after opening, the product can be kept for a maximum of 1 week.
The vacuum jerky is worth buying if you plan to consume it immediately. Do not store this product for a long time. It should be borne in mind that even with short storage it is recommended to lubricate the cut with olive oil.
Welcome
Homemade ham should be placed in the refrigerator. It is allowed to store it in this way for more than a year. To avoid chapping the edges, cuts should be treated with pork fat. It is also permissible to use ghee for this purpose.
Rules for caring for dried meat
It is better to buy a whole leg. Subject to certain recommendations, such meat can stand for quite a long time. To do this, you must respect the following rules:
- Hang the meat in the driest room in the house. It is better to observe the temperature regime at the level of + 15-20 degrees. It is important to avoid temperature fluctuations as this negatively affects the texture of the meat.
- It is recommended to treat the product from all sides with olive oil or ghee. Whenever after cutting off a piece of meat from the leg, it is worth treating the cut with oil. From above it is covered with a cotton towel.
- It is not recommended to store the cut product. You have to eat it right away.If there is still meat left, place the slices on a plate and wrap in foil or a damp towel. In this case, the meat must not come into contact with the packaging.
- Store the slices in a cool place. It is allowed to do this for a maximum of 10-12 hours. It is strictly forbidden to use films or plastic containers for this purpose.
Common Mistakes
Whole ham should be stored indoors and chopped ham should be stored in the refrigerator. It is strictly forbidden to freeze the treat. Under the influence of negative temperatures, the moisture present in the meat crystallizes. This will negatively affect the structure of the meat.
To transport the ham, it is often wrapped in plastic. It should be borne in mind that such meat will deteriorate within a day. A sign of violation of storage rules is the appearance of yellow fat on the surface of the product. It is recommended to cut and discard these fragments.
Storing ham next to foods that give off intense odors is a big mistake. Deli meats absorb unwanted flavors, which leads to a decrease in their quality.
Additional tips and tricks
To preserve the ham for as long as possible, you must observe the following recommendations:
- Store the whole drumstick at a temperature of + 15-20 degrees. The shelf life of the cut product is considerably reduced.
- It is strictly forbidden to freeze the product. This procedure causes crystallization of the liquid present in the composition. This leads to a violation of the structure. It will not be possible to restore it.
- It is permitted to transport ham in cling film.However, after 24 hours the meat in the plastic will deteriorate.
Ham is a delicacy that requires compliance with certain storage recommendations. To keep the dried meat cool as long as possible, temperature and humidity parameters should be observed. The choice of the storage capacity of the product is not negligible.