話題沸騰中の Where Does a Ham Come Fromについて、多角的な視点を整理して公開しています。

Let’s cut to the chase. Ham comes from a pig’s hind leg. Yes, that wiggly, trotter-tipped part that does all the kicking and running.

The word “ham” actually comes from an Old English word for the hollow behind the knee. So technically, you’re eating the pig’s thigh and upper rear. Fancy, right?

If you want to get super technical, the front leg of a pig is called a “picnic shoulder” or “arm picnic.” Only the back leg gets the title of ham. The pig does not care about branding, but we do.

Why This Matters (No, Really)

That hind leg is a big, muscular part of the animal. It gets a lot of exercise, which means it’s full of flavor and tenderness—if you treat it right.

But a raw leg of pork is not yet ham. It’s just a raw leg. The magic happens next, and it involves salt. Lots and lots of salt.