Yet again, this is a popular expression that is often not correctly applied.

 

Iberian ham is made from Iberian pigs, whereas the expression “Serrano ham” is generally used to refer to ham from white pigs.

 

Traditionally, during the curing phase, the hams are hung up in mountain villages, where the air and temperature are ideal. Hence the expression “Serrano (mountain) ham” for defining ham that has been cured in the mountains.

 

Nowadays, some people still cure hams traditionally in their homes, in mountainous areas, but most hams in the market (both those made from Iberian pigs and white pigs) are cured in artificial curing facilities and this means there is practically no difference in the final quality of the product.