For some people inexperienced and not accustomed to its consumption, it may not be easy to visually differentiate it from Serrano ham and Serrano Shoulder but it is a very different product in almost everything.
Serrano ham, as we have explained on other occasions, is obtained from the preparation and curing of the hind legs of different varieties of the white pig, while the serrano Shoulder is obtained from the preparation and curing of the front legs of the same pigs .
Its morphology and size are different, as the Serrana Palette is shorter, about 60 and 75 cm. compared to 70 to 95 cm. of the Iberian ham. It is also thinner and narrower than ham and therefore its lower weight, that of the Serrana shoulder ranges between 4 and 6 kg and serrano ham between 6 and 9.5 kg. With these measures and weights we are referring to the normal size of the white pig when it is slaughtered, but it could reach larger dimensions and weight, although this is not commercially advisable but that when the raising of the pig is domestic and for own consumption, it is usual that The size of the animal is larger.
The presence or not of the hoof in the piece of the Serrano shoulder also varies depending on the areas, being the frequency that coincides with the treatment given to the ham in the same area.
As for its characteristics, the serrano Shoulder has a higher proportion of bone and fat than ham.
This higher proportion of fat and its smaller size logically have an impact on the healing time, which is smaller and in its organoleptic characteristics, which are lower than those of serrano ham, although of very good quality too.
At the time of cutting, the slices obtained from the serrano Shoulder are narrower than those obtained from the ham and its different appearance, with a higher fat content.
It is also different to cut slices on a serrano Shoulder and a serrano ham, since the arrangement of the meat mallets (muscles) of each piece are different and of a very different size.
Therefore, the price per kg of the serrano Shoulder is lower than that of the ham.
This should not lead us to think that the serrano Shoulder is not a very high quality and very tasty product, it is a very appreciated product as well and its consumption is widespread.
The serrano Shoulder can be purchased online through our Gastronomic Spain page, easily and conveniently and received at your home, in any country in Europe at prices without competition. And with free shipping for orders over 79.99 euros or 89.99 euros, depending on the country of destination.
