The American TikToker, Nick (@spainwithnick), has been living in Spain for a while, and he has recently got viral when he discover something that there is really common: how to buy and prepare Iberian ham in a charcuterie. In his TikTok video, Nick couldn’t believe in how many places people could just buy a whole ham and ask to be cut in slices, and then leave it perfectly vacuum packed.
What for him was a complete novelty, for Spanish people, this is just a daily habit in the Spanish gastronomical tradition, where they put together comfort, respect for the product and, of course, love for the flavor.
What surprised Nick in the charcuterie
In his video, Nick shows how the sellers prepare their Iberian ham, cutting each slice precisely before sealing them in vacuum packages. “How I have lived in Spain for two years and never knew this!,” he says, smiling and admiring the scene at the same time.
In many establishments, clients can choose between a knife cut—more traditional and artesanal—or, a machine cut. Furthermore, the butchers usually add the ham bones too, chopped and packaged, perfect for making soups, stews, or “caldo” as they call it in Spain.
This service has a small additional cost, but it is practical for those who don’t have a space for a whole jam leg at the house, or they don’t know how to cut it correctly—which actually is way more complicated that it seems.
Because you get it vacuum packaged, the jam is better preserved, and last for longer on the fridge without loosing the flavor or delicious smell.
Advantages of sliced and vacuum-packed ham
The reaction of Nick (American TikToker) has aroused the curiosity of many foreigners on TikTok, who now want to try this very practical way of enjoying ham. But what are the true advantages?:
- You get to save space: because it’s being cut, it takes up less space in the fridge and can be easily stored.
- It’s very comfortable: you don’t have to worry about cutting it to thing or to thick; leave it to the butcher, he know’s the method you prepared correctly.
- Perfect conservation: The vacuum packaging protects the slices from air and light, which keeps them fresh and tasty until you decide to open it and enjoy it.
- Total use: the bones can be taken home with you for making soup later, and you can also get the little chopped pieces of ham that didn’t make the slicing part, which then you can add to the soups or cream.
Experts confirm that the knife cut, done by professionals, preserve the color, aroma and texture if the Iberian ham. And although I’m not an expert myself, I agree!
The ham culture in Spain seen by a foreigner
Nick’s video shows the world part of the ham culture and the Spanish gastronomic tradition. In many homes, cutting ham by hand is almost a family ritual: they do it at parties, celebrations or meetings; there are actually people who specialize in mastering that art.
Today, some companies offer whole hams already cut by hand and ready to serve, in small portions of about 80 grams, which allows you to combine the best of both worlds.
I understand Nick’s surprise since I lived it myself; I never understood how this was part of the daily habits in Spanish families, even after years visiting Spain regularly. I used to get the supermakert version, which are good too, but it’s not the same. Now, I cannot miss the opportunity when I have the chance, but that’s the risk: once you go Iberian sliced ham, you never go back…