A culinary myth that endures in kitchens and events
For decades, many fans of ham followed the belief that after finishing a slice or even storing a whole piece, one should cover it with the bacon to “protect” her. However, for Jesus Garciaprofessional cutter with extensive experience in Spain, this practice lacks technical foundation and can even harm the quality of the product.
This traditional approach has been maintained in many homes, gastronomic events and cooking schools, where the custom of covering the ham with bacon It is considered part of the liturgy of charcuterie and Spanish haute cuisine.
What the Expert Says About Bacon Topping
In statements broadcast by various media and reprinted from the ABC Sevilla article, Jesus Garcia maintains that you don’t have to add the bacon cover the ham, since it excess fat It can alter the texture and aroma of the slices during storage or presentation.
From a technical point of view, the bacon has a function in the initial phase of maturation of the ham, providing fat and avoiding excessive drying. But once the room hardened and ready to cutadding external bacon is not beneficial and can create an unnecessary layer of fat.
Impact on flavor and preservation
- Mouth feel: The excess of added bacon It can create a layer of fat that covers the purest, most delicate flavor of well-cut slices.
- Aromas: The fine and complex aroma of Iberian ham may be overshadowed by the stronger smell of added bacon.
- Presentation: For professionals and demanding amateurs, the precise and refined presentation of ham is key, and the use of bacon doesn’t always harmonize with this philosophy.
The art of cutting and other tips from the expert
Beyond questioning the custom of covering the piece of bacon, García offers recommendations for those who wish learn to cut ham at home or perfect your technique:
- Use sharp knives and specific for each part of the ham.
- Ensure stable support ham before starting to cut.
- Know the different areas of the part to optimize the thickness and size of the slices.
- Serve the slices at the appropriate temperature so that they unfold all their flavor and aroma.
Why do traditions persist?
Many long-established cooking practices, such as covering foods with grease or bacon, arose from a combination of empirical logic and historical necessity. In an era before refrigerators, covering products with grease could help preserve food longer. However, with current techniques of hardening and storagethis custom has lost part of its original justification.
The opinion of the gastronomic community
Although some defenders of culinary traditions claim that cover the ham with bacon maintains moisture and texture, other experts support García’s view, emphasizing that optimal cutting and modern conservation techniques They can skip this step.
Discussion reveals how gastronomy continues evolutioneven in seemingly minor aspects such as the treatment of emblematic products of Spanish cuisine as Iberian ham.
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