When you decide to buy ham, there are many questions you might have about how to properly store it to preserve its characteristics.

That's why, at Enrique Tomás, as ham experts, we'll tell you all the tricks, tips, and important decisions about ham preservation. This way, when you receive the piece at home, you can make the most of it and get the best flavor in every slice.

 

Recommendations and Guidelines for Preserving Enrique Tomás Ham

To fully enjoy your purchase of ham or shoulder, it's important to consider a series of conservation recommendations for the piece, whether it's whole or sliced. Enrique Tomás ham is of excellent quality, treated daily by our ham experts with care, dedication, and craftsmanship.

Furthermore, with the guarantee label, we assure you that your piece is at its optimal consumption point, ready to delight all your senses. Therefore, it's essential to preserve it in the best way possible so you can fully enjoy it when consuming.

 

Whole Ham or Shoulder

Storage Conditions

Keep the piece hung, without the net or sulfurized paper, in a dark and cool place. Once it arrives at your home, it's at its curing point, so it's not recommended to wait many days to start enjoying it and fully appreciate the intensity of its flavors and aromas.

 

Instructions for Use

Cured products can be consumed directly. We recommend slicing a bit every day to maintain its correct flavor, color, and texture over time. Once the cut is finished, DO NOT cover the cut part with its own fat, but use plastic wrap or a clean lint-free cloth until the next use.

Expiration and Shelf Life

Consume your piece as soon as possible as it's at its best curing point. If not possible shortly, follow the storage conditions. Once the piece is opened, it's recommended to consume it within 15 days, or three weeks especially in the case of a whole ham to fully enjoy both the ham and the shoulder's optimal conditions.

50% Iberian Bellota ham

Sliced Pieces and Other Sliced Products like Cold Cuts

Storage Conditions

Store in refrigeration between 3 to 8°C (37.4 to 46.4°F).

Instructions for Use

Remove from refrigeration and vacuum packaging and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes (approximately 15 to 30 minutes) before consuming. It will be ready when the slices separate without breaking.

Expiration and Shelf Life

Being sliced and vacuum-sealed, it has a long consumption life in refrigeration. Always check the expiration date on the label. Once opened, store for 3 days in refrigeration at 0-5°C (32-41°F).

Sliced products Enrique Tomás

Enrique Tomás Sliced Cold Cuts

Questions Related to Ham Preservation

Where Do You Start Cutting the Ham?

You should start by placing the hoof facing downwards, as the part you'll start cutting is the most cured, allowing the wider parts to cure a bit more. However, everything depends on how you plan to use the piece and the amount of ham you intend to slice daily.

If you want to know how to open a ham and get the most out of it, visit our blog.

How Long Does a Ham Usually Last?

Once it arrives at our homes, it's ready for consumption and it's advisable not to wait too long before consuming it, if we don't want it to dry out too much and lose its wonderful aroma and flavors. On the other hand, if it's an opened ham, the time will be decided based on its weight.

A 7 kg ham should last about sixteen days in summer, while in winter it could be longer. For a 4.5 kg shoulder, it should last about ten days in summer and fifteen in winter. In any case, we recommend consuming it as soon as possible once opened.

And remember, it's important to slice ham every day to keep the piece in good condition!

 

How Do I Maintain the Properties of Ham Once Opened?

If you've purchased a whole piece, it's important to slice the ham at least once a day from the opened part. You should also cover it with a lint-free cloth to prevent light exposure and reduce air exposure. We never recommend covering the opened part with fat, as the ham undergoes a "sponge effect," changing the taste, impairing its oxygenation and aroma.

We hope this information and recommendations are useful to you, for preserving and consuming the ham or shoulder piece, whether whole or sliced, as well as any type of sliced product you receive from our online store.

For more information, you can visit our blog.

In the "Frequently Asked Questions About Ham" post, you'll find answers to all your doubts, and if you want to improve your slicing technique or learn how to slice correctly, visit our YouTube channel.

You can also get in touch with our assistants in the live chat on the Enrique Tomás website.