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Country Ham from Go to Show

Dry curing is becoming a lost art in America, the true techniques of producing a country ham are about to be lost due to modern industry.

Country Ham is an uncooked ham, dry salt-cured with or without sugar and spices, after the initial cure, and optional cold smoking, it is hung for a long aging process. The aging process can last from four month’s to more than a year or two. To be considered a country ham it must have lost a minimum of 18% of its total weight, a loss of 30% is not uncommon. It is similar to the larger Spanish Serrano and the Italian Prosciutto hams so popular in Europe.

Curing hams was a necessity in the days before commercial refrigeration. My childhood memories of the neighborhood farms are the wood-fired scalding tanks, normally located near the windmill, milk cooling building and the smoke house. Hams and pork bellies, hanging in the smokehouse or in the backrooms and root cellars of the houses, some hanging in flour sacks. The aroma alone would make my mouth water.

The hams that are found in the groceries today are pumped full of water or brine and ready to be cooked with sugar syrup and pineapples. It’s a fast and inexpensive way to produce hams for today's consumer.

Many like me have purchased fresh hams, pumped them full of brine and smoked and cooked them with satisfactory results. Although good, they lack the depth of flavor of the country ham. A Country Ham is an entirely different, superior time consuming product produced by artisans for the last four centuries and may have the most complex flavor of any food in the spectrum of human nourishment.

Fact:
There are reasons you don’t find dry-cured American country ham at your grocery store deli.
Producers must invest four months to a year aging a country ham, taking up space and tying up capital. They don’t see a return on their investment until the ham is ready for retail.

After reviewing publications from Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and others I have gleaned what will be used here. It is my desire in this thread to provide the basic steps to produce a true country ham detailing the steps and updating the thread with information and pictures as time passes. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Success or failure, it will be witnessed here.


Some of my research material follows below.
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/458/458-223/458-223.html
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G2526
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/ham/index.asp
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSa...de2001/ucm092709.htm




Processes that will be covered include:
Criteria
Purchasing
Curing
Curing Salts
Soaking and Washing
Cure equalization
Smoking
Aging
Cooking

Recipe:
Morton’s Smoke Flavored Sugar Cure
Full cure = 2.5 Lbs. cure/ 100 Lbs. Ham, or .4 oz. per pound of ham.
21 lb. ham uses 8.4 oz. cure per application.
Make three applications at 7 day intervals.
Curing time: 7 days per inch of thickness. 8" thick, 8 x 7 = 56 days total curing time.
Equalization period: 20 days.
Aging period: Up to one year.

Note : Cure start 11/26/12 end 01/28/13

Equalization start 01/28/13 end 02/17/13

Smoked 128 hours using an AMNPS and Hickory pellets.






Producing a Country Ham

Criteria:

In order for a ham to be called a true country ham, four criteria must be met.
1st. It must be dry cured. Not injected with curing solutions nor placed in a curing solution.
2nd. The combined curing and equalization period must not be less than 45 days.
3rd. It must age a minimum of four months after curing.
4th. It must lose a minimum of 18% weight from fresh.

Purchasing:
Purchase a fresh skin-on ham with a long shank that is cut off at the sacral joint and weighing between 20 and 23 pounds. The longer shank makes curing easier although the shorter shank can be used. Only the hind legs of hogs can be called Country Hams.





Fact:
Super-lean pork does not make a great ham. A dry-cured ham without fat feels rough in the mouth, is overly salty and doesn't have the characteristic texture of an old-fashioned country ham.

Fact:
Most American producers begin the curing process with hams that weigh in between 20 and 23 pounds. Smaller hams would dry out too quickly, and larger hams could spoil before the cure penetrates the meat. Some Spanish producers of larger Serrano style hams, however, lean toward gigantic hams, which, if cured correctly, have a few advantages: They come from larger, fatter pigs, which have more aging potential and more flavor. The fat ameliorates the saltiness and dryness of the meat, and the hams dry out less over the two-or- more-year aging process used in Spain. A two-year-old American ham tastes great but is drier and saltier tasting than a larger Spanish ham would be.



Curing:

It is strongly recommended that a commercial premixed cure be used.

The curing process begins by rubbing the fresh ham with salt and sometimes sugar, spices and nitrates.

Extreme caution must be exercised when using cures; never use more than called for in a recipe. In general, all cure mixes are designed to be used at the rate specified in the formulation or recipe.

It is important to remember that more is not better, it can be toxic. Using curing ingredients in higher levels will result in inconsistency, cured meats may be too salty and the finished product may be unsatisfactory.

Country Ham must cure for a minimum of 28 days. The combined curing and equalization period shall not be less than 45 days for hams and 25 days for pork shoulders. The total time for curing,equalization and drying shall not be less than 70 days for hams and 50 days for pork shoulders.

During the curing stage, always keep meat refrigerated (36° to 40°F). the closer to 40° the better; lower temperatures will slow the curing process, and temperatures below 28° will stop the curing.

There are many different cure recipes that can be used, with or without sugar and spices. Since I had enough * Morton’s Smoke Flavored Sugar Cure on hand to cure more than 20 hams, it is what I am using, although without using the spices.

Fact:
Italian prosciutto and Spanish Serrano hams are made with a pure salt cure and no added nitrates or nitrites. Some American hams are also nitrate free. When used, nitrates ensure a pink color and cured flavor in a short amount of time, and provide some anti-microbial benefits as well. Nitrates are not a modern addition to the curing process; they have been added to hams in the form of saltpeter for hundreds of years and in the form of impure salts for millennia. Meat naturally contains a small amount of nitrates, however, which allow it to take on a beautiful color on its own. The longer a ham is aged, the fewer added nitrates are necessary. Many American hams are cured with brown or white sugar in addition to salt. The sugar is not for sweetness, but rather serves to soften the harshness of the salt and the toughening effects of nitrates.

Fact:
City hams are pumped full of a brine mixture—usually water, salt, sugar, nitrates and other chemicals. The brine is often pumped directly into the pig’s femoral artery so that it circulates throughout the ham (industry lore is that an embalmer came up with this method). The process reduces the cure time to almost nothing, giving the meat a cured flavor and color in a fraction of the time of dry aging. The brine also makes the ham sweet, mild and semi-salty, so it can be carved into thick slabs and eaten with a fork and steak knife. And unlike a cured and aged ham, which loses weight over time, the brine-cured city ham often weighs more than it did before brining when it’s sold, adding up to higher profits for the producer. As Americans have adopted this as their de-facto ham, dry-curing has become a dying art.

* Morton Smoke Flavored Sugar Cure mix is formulated only for dry curing large cuts of meat like hams or bacon, unlike the Morton Tender Quick or the Morton Sugar Cure (Plain) mix or Cure #1.

Morton Tender Quick, Morton Sugar Cure (Plain) mix, these premix cures have been developed as a cure for meat, poultry, game, fish and sausage that require short curing times, and will be fully cooked. They are NOT interchangeable with cure #1; they measure differently.

Recommended cures for Country Ham's are Morton Smoke Flavor Sugar Cure or Cure #2 also marketed as
Prague powder #2; InstaCure #2; Modern cure #2; D.Q. powder #2

Morton Sugar Cure Smoke Flavored:

This cure premix is not recommended for sausage, but it is listed so that the user does not mistake or confuse this with Morton Sugar Cure (plain). This is a slow cure, and the cure reaction takes longer with Morton Smoke Flavored Sugar Cure than with cure #2 or Morton Sugar Cure (plain) or Morton Tender Quick. This premix is formulated especially for dry curing large cuts of meat like hams, or bacon, that need to be cured over a long period of time.
It contains salt, sugar, sodium nitrate (1%), propylene glycol, caramel color, natural hickory smoke flavor, a blend of natural spices and dextrose (corn sugar) - it does not contain sodium nitrite.

Cure #2:

This has the same curing and food preservative properties as sodium nitrite, and the extended curing time of sodium nitrate. It is specifically formulated to be used for making uncooked dry cured products that require several weeks to several months to cure. Dry curing meat or sausage properly cannot be done with Cure #1 which contains sodium nitrite only; it dissipates too quickly.
This cure is a blend of salt and sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate.




11/26/2012 First application

Trim any loose meat from exposed area. Rub cure well into the shank and exposed meat taking care to cover all areas including any cracks or crevasses.





Wrap with a layer of cheese cloth to help hold the cure in place.





The ham was placed in netting and hung in a cooler at 36-40°, shank end down.
This position helps improve the shape and conformation and permits better moisture drainage.
Place a pan under the ham to collect moisture dripping from the ham.



Picture prior to third and final application of cure. Noticed outer meat beginning to firm and skin beginning to wrinkle slightly. Ham will now hang in cooler and continue curing for another 42 days afterwards the equalization period will begin.




Equalization Period:
This permits the cure adjuncts to be distributed evenly throughout the ham.
At the end of the 56 day initial cure there was a 10.4 % weight loss, some salt crystal formation and some mold begging to form.

Mold beginning to form.



Salt Crystals forming on skin.


The beginning of the 20 day equalization period begins with a 1 hour soak in cold (41°) water and scrubbing with a stiff brush. This will dessolve most of the surface curing mix and make the meat more receptive to smoke. Noticed the meat took on very little if any water. It was dry shortly after patting with towel.

The ham was then placed in a cheese cloth bag and hung in a well vetilated 50° room for 20 days.


2/15/2013 Started curing two more hams.



At the end of the equalization period. The ham was given a scrubbing and a quick rinse to remove accumilated mold and hung in smoker along with two pork bellies.







Cold Smoke

Ham and bacon after 72 hours in smoke



Ham after 128 hours in smoke.







Used the AMNPS to generate smoke. Hickory pellets, 14 loads, 16 ounces per load. In smoke a total of 128 hours. High internal smoker temperature, 78⁰. Ham was tacky after long smoke.

Weight loss during cold smoke was 9 5/8 ounces or 2%. Total weight loss to date is 4# or 19%.


Ham being air dried for 7 days.







Aging:
The aging process begins after the curing and equalization processes. After four months of aging, this ham will officially become a "Country Ham". While aging develops and concentrates a ham’s rich flavor, it also reduces the ham’s moisture and accentuates its saltiness. Fat inside the ham helps counteract these effects, and is therefore a key part of aging. A ham with generous amounts of fat can be aged longer for more intense flavor, without drying out.

Slowly, enzymes naturally in the meat will break proteins down into amino acids, which give us the satisfying, taste of umami.

Hanging hock up, causes the ham to assume a narrow bullet shape. This helps hams dry out evenly, which the Europeans like. Most Americans hang their hams hock down, because it pulls the ham into a squatter “ham” shape and leads to moister ham, which suits the American palate.



The ham has now met all requirements to be called a "Country Ham".



1st. It must be dry cured. Not injected with curing solutions nor placed in a curing solution.
2nd. The combined curing and equalization period must not be less than 45 days.
3rd. It must age a minimum of four months after curing.
4th. It must lose a minimum of 18% weight from fresh.


Updates to Thread:



12/01/2012 Equalization period: From 12 to 20 days.
12/04/2012 Curing: Additional information.
12/10/2012 Pic prior to third and final cure application.
01/22/2013 Additional info
02/19/2013 Additional info
02/23/2013 Cold Smoke
03/07/2013 Aging and info
05/24/2013 Country Ham

Disclaimer:

Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only.

Additional Information:
Varieties of Hams
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blham.htm
http://www.asianonlinerecipes...._guide/types-ham.php

Heritage Pig Breeds
http://www.bigpictureagricultu...tage-pig-breeds.html



To be continued.
Last edited {1}
Original Post

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when I was ayoungster, my dad would raise 2 hogs per year to feed the family. He would get them in early spring wewould feed them table scraps until the corn was picked in late summer. He would then feed them corn until the first really cold Norther would blow in. We would then have a "hog killing". All the neighbors would come and help butcher the hogs and all would get fresh pork and sausage for their help. My dad also used Morton sugar cure to cure the meat. It was packed in a "meat box" and taken out and more cure added at certian time intervals. My brother and I would render the pork rind for the lard and eat our weight in hot cracklins. Mother would cook with the lard and some would be used to make lie soap. Sorry to ramble, but the sugar cure brought back fond memories of my youth. For all that think the lard will kill you, my mother is 101 and going strong. PS She also still dips Garret Snuf
quote:
Originally posted by Big Frog:
Sorry to ramble, but the sugar cure brought back fond memories of my youth.


It was the memory's like yours that helped me decide to do this.


Vicki,
If your refrigerator will hold a ham, consider it. It does not have to hang as mine, but we can discus that later if you decide to do one. I don't think that humidity will be a factor during the curing process although the humidity in my cooler is set at 74-76% at this time. The temperature should be kept between 36-40°. Later you will need a place to store it at 50-60° then after that 70-90°.

Come on, try it.
I am usually up for anything. Just don't want to waste an expensive piece of meat. I will check out my fridge again. I can rob ably turn it on, set a tiny battery op fan in their and close the door. I guess I can use a little pan of water if it's not humid enough. I think I can rig something to hang it from, will take up top to bottom Im sure.
Vicki,
The cost on my 21# ham was $1.99#. I don't understand the need for a fan. As long as the door is kept closed it should keep the whole ham cool, that is what is important. Neither do I understand the need for a pan of water, there will be plenty of humidity. The need for a pan is to collect the moisture dripping from the ham.
I didn't think the fridge would get to an apx. 74% humidity! Hence the water. Also you mentioned well ventilated, so a fan came to mind.

My ham for the holiday was around 2.69 a lb. I guess that's not too bad, 56.00 bucks. I know that's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying prosciutto for $18 a lb in the supermarket.

Can you actually get it to the pungent flavor of a prosciutto?
I think I am gonna do this after checking to make sure my fridge will hold it. Do you know the length and width of your ham? Or can you check without causing a problem?

I guess when I am ready to go, I would love to discuss it further as you mentioned. Where did you get your ham bag?

BTW, when I am very interested in a subject I will read and re-read a post, especially from the experts like yourself to glean as much info as possible. That's how I noticed the ventilation.
Vicki
Your welcome,
As in your 101’s, doing a ton of research for a tutorial such as this is a necessity in order to do it properly along with being able to answer forthcoming questions. Hopefully others will be encouraged to join in.

One interesting fact is that the dry cured hams can be found on the net from around the world. The prices range from $90.00 here in the US to one from Italy priced at $950.00, the later being a little out of my price range.

If someone on the forum has done this before and would like to share their experience, any suggestions would be appreciated.
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
One interesting fact is that the dry cured hams can be found on the net from around the world. The prices range from $90.00 here in the US to one from Italy priced at $950.00, the later being a little out of my price range.


Well, if the next ham loving Powerball winner really wants to celebrate in style, they can order a 15.5 lb. bone-in Spanish Jamon Iberico de Bellota from Cinco Jotas for a mere $1,290. For those not confidant with their carving skills, a 6-7 lb. boneless version is available for the same price.

Of course, the price does not include shipping and handling.
quote:
Originally posted by dls:
How long do you intend to smoke the ham? Also, any estimates on the final weight loss?


Thanks dls, After more than 50 hours of continous smoke, the ham is taking on a good color. It should be to the color I would like somtime this week.

The expected weight loss by the Christmas holidays is in the 30% range.
quote:
Originally posted by dls:
Mr. T - Have you given any thought to putting a few more hams in the pipeline? When that one's gone, which I imagine won't take long, I don't think you would want to wait another year for more.


dls, Yes I have. Two more hams were started last week, one though will be a Christmas gift, picture is in link below. Have to do more than one at a time as I don't have that much time to do many more. Eeker



Vicki, Oh yes, not only is there a lot of work ,but the time needed to do research for the first one in order to do a true country ham. There are many slight variations after the initial cure. Hopefully if someone else wants to do one, this will save them time and work.
Last edited by Former Member
T. This is perfect. I'm still deployed, but am already arranging my retirement hobby which will be raising registered Pastured Tamworth hogs on our land in NE Oklahoma.

I've already arranged to buy some and will take delievery late summer, with the first one going in the freezer around January. The rest will get bred (I'll be keeping 8-10 sows), but needless to say, I'll be in the hams.

Have you ever tried Tamworth hams? I hear they are great, I know their bacon is renound.

After reading your post carefully, I'm afraid the Heritage breed Tam Hams might be too lean, especially, when raised on only about 30 percent grain with the rest forage. If my hams come out that lean, I may have to city cure and smoke. I guess I could just keep a hog or two longer, as they put on mostly fat over 260 pounds, and that would round out some nice hams, and then there is that occasional older/larger sow or boar which has to be processed.

I am bookmarking your post and will refer to it often.
Last edited by chaplainbill
Chaplain Bill,
Glad you are enjoying the thread. I have not tried the Tam hams as I am just getting started doing the true country ham. You have hit the nail on the head on using lean hams as the fattier hams work best for this process. I would think that the city process will work just fine for you and produce some fine butts also. I ask for Berkshire hams. I see the Tam hogs are raised for their fine bacon and I bet you will be enjoying it.

Seems to me you have a pretty good handle on it. If I can help in the future, please ask.

Good to hear from you. Get home soon.
Tom
So I guess what I really need to learn is how to cure a city ham and then how to smoke it (cold or hot) and such. I'll do some looking around on that, I've got some time till the hams start rolling in.

I know the Tam hams will likey be smaller too at butcher weight, as they are a 'bacon type' rather than a 'lard type' so I probally won't get many 12 pound pork butts out of them. I did see some porkchops cut out of a 500 pound Tam Sow and they were bigger than a plate, like a beef T-bone.

I get home in June, then back and forth to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for a couple of months for outprocessing then I'm on Termminal leave the rest of the year and then retired. Thanks all for the thoughts and prayers. I think of this forum (in contrast) every time I go to breakfast at the dining facility and they have beef or turkey bacon and no pork., I can smell the smoke already!
Last edited by chaplainbill
I'm sure you will get some help from the forum as there are members who do the city hams. Will be looking forward to a "City Ham tutorial" from you.

The next time a pork belly is needed, I am going to ask for a Tam. Anxious to try one as my research shows you will be raising the Cadillac's of bacon hogs. The last ones I have been getting have been way to fatty.
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
Additional information added to original post.
Cold Smoke.


Mr. T - The color of the fully smoked ham on today's update is stunning. Was there anything special that you did to achieve that? You could post that on Ebay and auction off slice futures for a pretty good sum when it's completely finished.

Really nice work. Congrats.

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