Pig meat is one of the most commonly consumed meat across the globe. Western Countries are the most prominent consumers of it as they use it in dozens of dishes. People usually get in terms with Ham and Pork, when it is about meat derived from Pigs. Though many believe that they are exactly the same or have a difference as they are derived from the two different types of pigs. It should be kept mentioned here that both are pig meats in general. Pork is the raw pig meat whereas, Ham is cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by salting, smoking, or wet curing. A specific cut of meat from the pig, especially the thigh part is also called Ham.
What is Ham?
Ham is the cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by by salting, smoking, or wet curing. Relative to the pork it can be preserved for longer time and is available in ready-to-cook packages at supermarkets. Ham is also used in sandwiches, burgers and other fast foods and is mostly available in thin slices. Ham is consumed from the similar pig meat as of pork, or better we can say that all ham is pork but not all pork is ham. Ham can either be from domestic pig or from any other pig type like the pork, though it is preserved and cured.
What is Pork?
Pork is the culinary name for the pig meat, it is in raw form and is used in hundreds of cuisines worldwide as it is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. Pork is eaten in various forms such as roasted, smoked, cooked, salted, or grilled, even some of its recipes get two or more than two treatments like this. What Mutton is to goat and Beef is to cow is what Pork is to pig. Pork is the raw pig meat that is later consumed in various forms. The preserved and cured pig meat especially of thigh part is called Ham. It will be pertinent to mention here that one of the most consumed pig meat (pork) is absent from regions like Asia, Middle East and Africa as it is considered as taboo in some religions. In religions like Islam and Judaism, pork is prohibited and its intake is seen as an offence.
Ham vs. Pork
- Pork is the raw pig meat whereas, Ham is cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by salting, smoking, or wet curing.
- A specific cut of meat from the pig, especially the thigh part is also called Ham.
- As Ham is the cured and preserved form of pig meat it can be kept for longer time in shelves as compare to the raw pig meat pork.
- Ham is available in ready-to cook form at supermarkets, whereas pork is available in raw form.
- Ham is the thigh part of pig meat, and it is used in Fast Food, whereas Pork can used differently in cuisines across the globe.
- Ham is used in ham sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, hamburgers, whereas pork is a prominent ingredient in sausages, salami, and bacon.