What is Black Forest Ham? (with pictures) (2024)

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What is Black Forest Ham? (with pictures) (1)

Mary McMahon

Mary McMahon Last Modified Date: September 29, 2023

Black Forest ham is a preserved pork product, traditionally made in the Black Forest region of Germany. The regional specialty is internationally famous, and it is often imitated by pork producers in other parts of the world. The real product may be ordered from Germany for consumption fresh or in cooked dishes, and people who do not want to pay a premium for the meat can explore similar ham from other regional producers.

The Black Forest is a famous wooded resort area in Southwestern Germany. It is a traditional source of a number of German foods and crafts, in addition to being a popular vacation spot. Within the European Union, Black Forest ham has an Appellation of Controlled Origin, meaning that only ham from the Black Forest is allowed to be labeled as such. For European consumers, this appellation ensures that they know what they are buying. Outside of Europe, the name is not regulated, and it is possible to find a number of imitations with varying levels of quality.

Black Forest ham is characterized by its deep red color and rich flavor.

By tradition, Black Forest ham is a boneless smoked ham, which means that the chef must trim the hind leg of a pig before curing it. To make Black Forest ham, chefs start by rubbing the meat in a mixture of salt, garlic, coriander, juniper, pepper, and an assortment of other spices. It is allowed to dry cure for two weeks before the salt is scraped off and the ham cures for an additional two weeks. After this, the ham is cold smoked over fir or pine branches. During the smoking process, the ham acquires a rich flavor and a deep red color. After smoking, the meat is ready for consumption.

The Black Forest variety is typically a smoked, boneless ham.

The ham can be eaten plain on sandwiches or as a meat course in a meal, or it can be cooked and added to things like pasta. Biscuits, quiche, and other savory baked goods may integrate the product as well. It is also used as a wrap for things like fruit and other meats. In Germany, Black Forest ham is an important part of many regional cuisines, along with other traditional German foods.

What is Black Forest Ham? (with pictures) (5)
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced theexciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College andspends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

What is Black Forest Ham? (with pictures) (6)
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced theexciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College andspends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

anon992018

We had a Black Forest Roast Beef sandwich with coleslaw on panini bread. Can this be a type of Black Forest beef?

anon926141

@lighth0se33: That is right. The cake is from the same region. It's called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German.

lighth0se33

I had always wondered where the name “Black Forest ham” came from. I suppose that Black Forest cake comes from this region, too. Am I correct?

I had this rich chocolate cake once, and it was so amazing. I remember that there were cherries in it, and it was very moist.

feasting

@giddion – There aren't many calories in most types of deli ham, if you get it sliced thin and only put three or four slices on your sandwiches. My black forest ham has 30 calories per slice and only one gram of fat.

Since black forest ham has so much flavor, you really don't need to use as much of it as other types of ham in order to feel like you are eating enough. Three slices is plenty for me.

I eat it on wheat bread with a little bit of light mayonnaise. I don't feel guilty about it at all. I think it makes a great lunch sandwich.

giddion

How many calories are in black forest ham? Is it more or less caloric than regular smoked ham or honey ham?

I enjoy eating ham sandwiches now and then. I'm thinking about packing my lunch regularly, and ham will certainly be on the menu if it isn't too high in calories.

shell4life

I think that smoking the ham over pine or fir branches probably gives black forest smoked ham its signature flavor. I know from living in an area filled with pine forests that the trees are very fragrant, and I would love to eat anything smoked over their wood.

anon251043

I hate the smell of black forest ham.

anon242641

The ham can be smoked for up to two weeks.

anon18352

hi. i have been to the black forest numerous times and love schwarzwald schinken. my only question:

how long is the pork coldsmoked after it is cured? and what kind of environment as well. thanks!

anon4323

I'm from Germany, and I'd like to make the following correction:

The Black Forest in Germany is close to Switzerland, but in no means to Italy. Instead, France's Alsace is only a couple miles away, so it would be much

more appropriate to point out that the region's cuisine is more like rustic French or more precisely: Alsatian, than Italian.

Anyway, it's very pretty there and the food is delicious, so if you get to Germany, skip the Cinderella castle and go to the Black Forest instead!

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    What is Black Forest Ham? (with pictures) (2024)

    FAQs

    What is special about Black Forest ham? ›

    It's namesake ham is known for it's delicately blackened skin and light, smoky flavor. That dark edge comes from spices applied prior to smoking. Salt, garlic, coriander, juniper and pepper to name a few. Black Forest ham is smoked over pine or fir and the whole process can take up to three months.

    What is the difference between regular ham and Black Forest ham? ›

    Another popular ham in the U.S. is Virginia ham or country ham. Virginia ham is pretty similar to black forest ham since they're both dry-cured and cold smoked. The biggest difference, though, is that Virginia ham is smoked with oak, hickory, and applewood instead of black forest ham's fir and pine.

    What does bad Black Forest ham look like? ›

    If your ham appears dully or somewhat slimy, it's likely that the early stages of spoilage have kicked in.

    What animal is Black Forest ham made of? ›

    Our Pre-Sliced Black Forest Ham is made with sustainably raised, family-farmed pork, which we season with coriander, juniper berries, and a hint of garlic and then smoke of natural hardwoods. The result? Big, bold, black forest flavor that makes anything you make with it your new favorite food.

    Why do they call it Black Forest ham? ›

    TIL “Black Forest Ham” comes from the Black Forest region of Germany, where it was originally coated with beef blood to give it its dark color.

    What is the best way to cook a Black Forest ham? ›

    Cook up a delicious meal in moments.

    Made in USA. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham in ½-1 inch of water on bottom of baking pan and cover with lid or seal with foil. Bake approximately 15 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140°F.

    What is the tastiest cut of ham? ›

    Rump, Butt, Or Sirloin

    The rump contains the femur and pelvic bone, which can be challenging to carve around. It is a more tender and flavorful cut of meat and can often be more expensive.

    Is Black Forest ham good quality? ›

    Not surprisingly, German-made Black Forest ham was outstanding, while some domestic imitators tasted like “processed,” “rubbery” canned ham. Tasted raw, even the domestic brands we found acceptable could not compare to the German import.

    What is the white stuff on Black Forest ham? ›

    Well, rest assured, those white spots are and there is absolutely nothing to be worried about. Here's why! Scientifically, these white spots are called Tyrosine or Tyrosine Crystals.

    Is a 2 year old frozen ham still good? ›

    An uncooked, cut country ham can be refrigerated for two to three months or frozen for one month. A cooked Country Ham should be refrigerated for seven days and or frozen for one month. Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely.

    What are the black specks in Black Forest ham? ›

    Several species of fungi have been considered responsible for the appearance of these black spots in meat products stored at low temperature (-1): Cladosporium cladosporoides, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium oxysporum, Penicillium hirsutum and Aureobasidium pullulans.

    Does boars head make Black Forest ham? ›

    Boar's Head® SmokeMaster® Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham is naturally smoked with robust beech woodchips that are imported from Germany. The outcome is a rich and smooth smoky flavored ham rarely found in America.

    Can you eat Black Forest ham raw? ›

    Black Forest ham is boneless and about one-fifth fat. It has a very pronounced flavor and is common in German cuisine. It may be eaten fresh, for example on Holzofenbrot or rye bread, with fruit, or used as an ingredient in cooked dishes.

    Is Black Forest ham coated in blood? ›

    Black Forest ham is a moist, boneless German-style ham made only from the top and bottom round. It is smoked over pine and fir and coated with beef blood to give it a black exterior. Very lean and tender, it is fully cooked, weighs 4 to 6 pounds, and is often sliced thin and used for sandwiches.

    Is Black Forest ham real ham? ›

    Black Forest ham (German: Schwarzwälder Schinken) is a variety of dry-cured smoked ham produced in the Black Forest region of Germany. In 1959, Hans Adler from Bonndorf pioneered manufacturing and selling Original Black Forest ham by retail and mail order.

    Is Black Forest ham healthier than honey ham? ›

    3: Black Forest Smoked Ham. Honey ham's smoked cousin rose in the ranks thanks to its slightly lower sodium content — 19% daily intake vs. honey ham's 24% — and 5% of your recommended daily potassium intake. Like honey ham, Black Forest smoked ham has 60 calories per 2-ounce serving.

    Is Black Forest ham healthier than turkey? ›

    As an example, two to three slices of Black Forest Ham can be upwards of 260 calories with up to 19grams of fat, 30% saturated, and up to 310mg of sodium. Three to four slices of Roast Turkey Breast deli meat can be as low as 50 calories, with 1% fat, 1% saturated and slightly less sodium.

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