Philippine ham or "Jammon" is one of the legacy of Spanish cuisine that lasted 377 years. There are other traditional Spanish cuisines that they left as heritage, but for many people, ham is the most popular of all of them.
Philippine ham has many shapes and tastes, but the most famous one is usually sweet spherical "Hamon de Bora". hamon de bola is popular, Chinese ham is more popular, and it will appear on the table during Christmas along hamon de bola. Chinese ham has a different taste than Hamdobora, it is salty and sweet. Most people like having saltiness and sweetness mixed.
The dignified ham brand is sweet and salty, apart from this kind of ham. The secret of unique taste is the curing process. Ham is healed in oak barrels and aged to obtain a complete flavor. It is seasoned with spices before cooking to achieve the perfect taste. Their brand has been established for over 70 years and is one of the most popular brands in the Philippines.
When offering Chinese ham, it is necessary to first heat or cook and immerse it in the source attached to it. There are Chinese ham and Jamon Debola available commercially, but the best taste is made of restaurants and specialty shops. Commercially available ham is usually made with preservatives harmful to health. More expensive ham is better than inexpensive mass production varieties. In the Christmas season, I will pass Chinese ham and Jamon de Bola to other family, friends and business collection.
When I go to the mass of late night and "simbang gabi", people go home and eat "Noche Buena" and midnight meal. There are times when families exchange gifts for each other. The Christmas buffet or "Noshebuena" is not perfect without the Chinese ham, Jamon Deborah, Kusodenbora trio. Queso de bola or edam cheese is eaten with ham, usually placed in a slice of bread to make a sandwich. Filipinos also drink wine during Christmas dinner.
In other countries, there is a unique ham with a unique curing process, but it is the most popular and rare, but "Spain" "Jamon Iberico de Bellota". It is the most well-known coconut ham hardened for very nuts and unique flavors worldwide. It has a very long curing process that contributes to its taste and texture.
