How to choose ham: whole or sliced?

To choose ham, first think about how you will serve it. Do you want to open a pack for snacking, prepare a starter for guests or cut a whole piece at home? The format makes a difference to the quantity you buy and the preparation involved.

At Herdade do Estacal, you will find hand-sliced Iberian black pork ham and whole pieces. These are the options we recommend for each use.

Sliced ham: for serving without cutting

Varanegra Hand-Sliced Iberian Black Pork Ham, 80 g is a practical choice for a starter or a snack. It is already sliced and can be eaten as served.

It is cured for 24 to 30 months, with a ruby-marbled appearance and soft, rich fat. Choose this format when you prefer to buy small quantities and do not want to prepare the slices.

Whole piece: for slicing at home

Casa do Porco Preto Reserva Ham, 5.5 to 8 kg is an option for those who like to slice the ham as they serve it. It has an intense, cured and persistent aroma, soft, rich fat, and a mildly salty, slightly acidic flavour.

The curing process indicated for this product is up to 24 months. Before choosing a whole piece, consider the space you have to store it, how often you will eat it and whether you have a stable stand and suitable tools for slicing.

If you are looking for acorn-fed ham

Discover Casa do Porco Preto Acorn-Fed Ham, 6 to 7 kg, made from Alentejo Iberian black pork legs. It has an intense, cured and persistent aroma, a ruby-marbled appearance and soft, rich fat.

It is another whole-piece option for sharing at the table or giving to someone who appreciates ham and enjoys slicing it at home.

How much should you buy?

With sliced ham, you can adjust your purchase to the number of guests. For example, two 80 g packs total 160 g: divided among four people, that is 40 g per person. This is a starting point for a starter with other snacks, not a fixed quantity for every meal.

With a whole piece, the weight includes the bone and the parts that will not be served. It therefore does not correspond to the same quantity of ready-to-eat slices. Choose this format based on how you will use it, not just on the weight of the piece.

Ham to give at Christmas

For a small-format gift, the 80 g Varanegra Hand-Sliced Ham can accompany a bottle of wine. For someone who enjoys slicing ham at home, consider a Reserva or Casa do Porco Preto Acorn-Fed whole piece.

At Christmas Eve dinner or New Year's Eve, sliced ham lets you prepare a starter without adding the work of slicing. A whole piece makes more sense when it will be eaten regularly and you have suitable storage conditions.

Wine and accompaniments

To accompany it, we suggest EA Tinto Reserva 2023, served at between 16 and 18 °C. Try it with Varanegra DOP Alentejo 100% Acorn-Fed Ham, cut into thin slices, or with Varanegra Hand-Sliced Ham.

We recommend serving both with a beautiful Alentejo loaf, sliced, to accompany the ham at the table.

If you would like to add cheese to the table, see our guide How to choose cheese: cured or buttery?.

Storage: follow the instructions for each product

Check the storage conditions and date indicated on the packaging. After opening, follow the manufacturer's specific instructions. Sliced ham and whole pieces should not be treated as though they were the same format.

Frequently asked questions

Is whole ham always better than sliced ham?

No. Sliced ham is practical and makes it easier to buy small quantities. A whole piece allows you to slice it at home, but requires space, utensils and usage suited to its size.

Does longer curing mean I will like it more?

Not necessarily. Also consider the flavour and texture described for each product. Choose based on the profile you enjoy and how you intend to serve it.

Herdade do Estacal's choice

For a whole piece, our choice is Varanegra DOP Alentejo 100% Acorn-Fed Ham. Made from animals that are 100% Alentejo breed, it has smooth, rich fat and meat with intramuscular fat marbling. It is the ham we feature on our table, ready to slice and share.

For sliced ham, our choice is Varanegra Hand-Sliced Iberian Black Pork Ham, 80 g, ready to serve with a beautiful Alentejo loaf.

Choose the format for your table

For serving without cutting, we recommend 80 g Varanegra Hand-Sliced Ham. For slicing at home, we recommend Varanegra DOP Alentejo 100% Acorn-Fed Ham. Also discover the Reserva and Casa do Porco Preto Acorn-Fed whole pieces.