Physiologically speaking, ham is a product made from the back feet of the pig, whereas a shoulder is made from the front feet.

 

Hams are larger and heavier than shoulders (an average 7.5 kg of weight for the ham and about 5 kg for the shoulder) and they also are also longer than shoulders, which have a rounder shape.

 

A ham has less fat than a shoulder both in terms of external fat and intramuscular fat, which thus affects its aroma and taste. Some people adore ham, and others adore shoulder, it is just a question of taste.

 

In respect of profitability, since hams are larger than shoulders, the loss percentage (in bone and outer fat) is less than in ham. This is a factor to be considered by professionals from the hostelry and restaurants sector.