Difference between Cuixot Ham and serrano ham
Different Hams
the difference between the "pata negra" like the Iberian ham and cuixot ham with the Serrano ham.
Both Iberian ham, Cuixot ham and Serrano ham are top quality Spanish products, but they are the result of different production processes and come from different breeds of pig. Their properties, therefore, are not the same and the Iberian ham and the Cuixot ham have a higher gastronomic value.
Pig breed
The main difference between a black leg like the Iberian ham and Cuixot with a Serrano ham is the pig from which the meat comes.
mallorcan black pig
The first big distinction is between black pigs and white pigs. Iberian ham and Cuixot belong to the black pigs with black legs, pata negra.
On the contrary, the Serrano ham comes from a breed of white pig.
In the case of Iberian ham, the meat comes from purebred Iberian pigs of at least 70%. In the case of Cuixot ham, the meat comes from black Mallorcan pigs, 100% purebred, while for Serrano ham, however, the main breeds of pig origin are Duroc, Landrace, Large White, Pietrain.
The diet of the pigs is also different for the different types of ham.
Iberian ham has different classes, depending on the diet, such as acorn ham, if it feeds on acorns and grass; or recebo ham, if it feeds on fodder, herbs and acorns, etc... The Cuixot ham is fed on fodder almonds and grass. In the case of Serrano ham, the main food is cereal.
The curing process is one of the most important stages in the production of Spanish ham and there are also some differences. In the case of Iberian acorn ham and Cuixot ham made from almonds, the curing period should be maintained for at least 24 to 36 months, while in the case of Serrano ham, the curing period should be 7 to 24 months.
Ham Flavor
Consumers notice as the first main difference a different taste between Iberian ham, cuixot and serrano. Iberian ham and Cuixot are juicier. The same happens with the aroma and it is that the aroma of an Iberian ham and the Cuixot is much more intense and with much more character than a Serrano ham.
The colour
Another very evident difference is the colour of the ham slice. The colour of the Serrano ham tends to be more pinkish, it is lighter, not so bright, it does not usually have infiltration and seems to be more raw. On the other hand, the colour of the Iberian ham and cuixot is more red, intense with an infinite number of yellowish shades because of its bacon and sometimes it has white granules. In this regard, it is important to know that the bacon of the cuixot and iberian ham strengthens and expands the flavor on contact with the taste buds and saliva.