Ham in Europe
#1
Ham in Europe
The ham you get in France, Italy, etc. is a much better product than we can get in the US.
Even the packaged slices you buy in a grocery store in Paris are superior.
I've read about the way they feed their animals and cure their ham which is obviously the difference.
Is there any small producer in the US that even comes close to the quality of European ham?
I also posted this on the Lounge/food,wine
Even the packaged slices you buy in a grocery store in Paris are superior.
I've read about the way they feed their animals and cure their ham which is obviously the difference.
Is there any small producer in the US that even comes close to the quality of European ham?
I also posted this on the Lounge/food,wine
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Fodor's has severely limited use of the Lounge. If you were not a particapant by some cut off date in April, you are not allowed to participate.
Personally I think Jamón Ibérico, also known as 'pata negra' is far superior to French ham, but the price is insane.
I also prefer prosciutto from Italy, which is also expensive but not like Jamón Ibérico.
And as an aside, I think Spanish and Greek olive oils are highly under appreciated.
Personally I think Jamón Ibérico, also known as 'pata negra' is far superior to French ham, but the price is insane.
I also prefer prosciutto from Italy, which is also expensive but not like Jamón Ibérico.
And as an aside, I think Spanish and Greek olive oils are highly under appreciated.
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What particular type of ham are you looking for? In my area even supermarkets - never mind gourmet shops - have tons of different types of hams - some imported from Italy and Spain.
Naturally the basic deli brands of boiled ham are nothing like the real thing in europe.
Naturally the basic deli brands of boiled ham are nothing like the real thing in europe.
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>
Italian olive oil is not always Italian: trade regs allow olive oil to be stamped "Product of Italy" if it is processed there, without reference to the origin of the olives. That Italian olive oil you think doesn't measure up to Spanish or Greek could be . . . from Spanish or Greek olives.
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This is overwrought and over-stated. Stop comparing higher-end European products or specialty meats (seriously, how often do you have ham in a fine restaurant in the US) to Hormel and instead compare the best in ___ to the best in the US.
Italian olive oil is not always Italian: trade regs allow olive oil to be stamped "Product of Italy" if it is processed there, without reference to the origin of the olives. That Italian olive oil you think doesn't measure up to Spanish or Greek could be . . . from Spanish or Greek olives.
>
This is overwrought and over-stated. Stop comparing higher-end European products or specialty meats (seriously, how often do you have ham in a fine restaurant in the US) to Hormel and instead compare the best in ___ to the best in the US.
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Italian olive oil is not always Italian: trade regs allow olive oil to be stamped "Product of Italy" if it is processed there, without reference to the origin of the olives. That Italian olive oil you think doesn't measure up to Spanish or Greek could be . . . from Spanish or Greek olives.
And this is based on....?
And this is based on....?
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I may not qualify as a gourmet but I did not notice too much difference in cured/cooked packaged slices of ham in any US Safeway versus what you get in the same price/quality range at Carrefour or Alcampo or Aldi.
It is indeed a bit unfair to compare true jamón ibérico to what you find vacuum-packaged at your local supermarket.
It is indeed a bit unfair to compare true jamón ibérico to what you find vacuum-packaged at your local supermarket.
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What BigRuss wrote on "Italian" olive oil is pretty much common knowledge in Europe. Unless you buy a DOC olive oil in Europe, the ingredients can come from anywhere in the Union - typically not from Sweden or Ireland but Greece or Spain.
You get much more bangs for your bucks (euros, actually) if you market the oil as "Italian".
You get much more bangs for your bucks (euros, actually) if you market the oil as "Italian".
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Big Russ and Cowboy agreeing on different things are like two inmates in straight jackets murmuring to each other and laughing.
Even before the EU, there was Italian laws governing olive oil and the use of DOP as an indication of products, including olive oil, of products made in Italy and that there were strict guidelines as how to identify olive oil.
To wit, I did not mention Italian olive oil, BigRuss did.
Same advice I gave Cowboy go read what was writeen.
Even before the EU, there was Italian laws governing olive oil and the use of DOP as an indication of products, including olive oil, of products made in Italy and that there were strict guidelines as how to identify olive oil.
To wit, I did not mention Italian olive oil, BigRuss did.
Same advice I gave Cowboy go read what was writeen.
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There is a local supermarket chain where I live and they have some good hams but they are in the deli section, not packaged. The supermarket is owned by Marks and Spencer. And there is the absolutely fabulous ham I had at Christmas time - I'm still dreaming about it but you have to buy a whole ham.
This information won't help you, though, as you don't live in this area. But I'm answering your question - yes, you can get good ham in the US.
This information won't help you, though, as you don't live in this area. But I'm answering your question - yes, you can get good ham in the US.