Black forest ham is a beloved staple of lunchtime sandwiches, protein-filled snacks, and nourishing dinners. It offers a delicate, smoky flavor and rich seasoning blend that makes it a top choice among ham deli meats and other cold cuts.
When you use Wellshire’s black forest ham in your favorite recipes, you don’t only enjoy exceptional flavor—you also experience decades of tradition paired with natural ingredients and a time-tested preparation process.
Let’s peek into the origins of black forest ham, learn what separates Wellshire’s from other varieties, and explore a few delicious ways to work it into your next meal.
Black Forest Ham: A German Delicacy Gone Global
The Black Forest region of Germany is well-known for its many culinary delights. Beyond ham, that includes delicacies like:
- Black Forest Cake
- Brägele sausage
- Bibbeleskäs cheese
Black forest ham, however, is perhaps the most well-known of the area’s culinary creations—and the best protected. Under European Union law, any product labeled black forest ham must be produced exclusively in the Black Forest region of Germany.
The variety was first produced in the region in 1959 through a process of dry-brining, cold smoking, and air curing. The result is a dark crust and smoky flavor that’s unique among ham deli meats.
While there are no legal guidelines dictating how black forest ham is made in America, Wellshire still uses traditional ingredients and processes to capture the same feel and flavor as authentic German producers.
Why Wellshire’s Black Forest Ham is a Cut Above the Rest
Not only does Wellshire stick to many of the same production processes as mid-20th century German craftsmen, but we also use the same high-quality natural ingredients. In fact, we skip out on potentially harmful synthetic nitrates and modern additives in favor of traditional recipes that include:
- Humanely raised, vegetarian-fed pork
- Pure, clean water
- Flaky sea salt
- Real cane sugar, honey, and maple sugar
- Cane vinegar
- Other, natural flavors
With so few ingredients and such a high standard for quality, our black forest ham delivers unparalleled flavor and a consistent mouthfeel. Our traditional curing technique also contributes to the overall success of the final product: With no added chemical curatives to rush the process, natural air and salt drying offer the flavors of black forest as they’re meant to be enjoyed.
With slight sweetness, a noticeable smoky kick, and a tender-yet-toothsome chew, Wellshire’s Black Forest Seasoned Uncured Deli Ham, Sliced Black Forest Uncured Deli Ham, and Black Forest Fully Cooked Uncured Ham Nugget are three delicious ways to enjoy this traditional treat. And when you pair them with just a few other ingredients, they make for balanced and tasty meals.
Delicious Dishes Starring Wellshire’s Black Forest Ham
All of Wellshire’s black forest hams are fully prepared and ready to eat. For a quick, hearty snack that offers 12 grams of protein per serving, simply grab some right from the bag and enjoy!
If you’re looking for a fuller meal that offers more nutritional variety and diverse flavors, try:
- Sandwiches – Sandwiches are the traditional use for almost any ham, and black forest pairs with a variety of flavors. Slide some onto a dinner roll with a drizzle of mustard and slices of your favorite cheese for a quick classic—or get creative with focaccia, pieces of pear, and a panini press for a sweet-and-smoky treat.
- Charcuterie boards – Charcuterie boards combine all of your favorite meats, cheeses, breads, crackers, spreads, fruits, veggies, and other small bites into one praiseworthy platter. Pair slices of black forest and other varieties like Virginia ham with almost any ingredients and start munching!
- Pasta dishes – The rich, smoky taste of black forest is a perfect companion for almost any pasta dish. Sauté ham chunks with your favorite veggies, then add olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan, and cooked noodles for an unbeatable Pasta al Limone. Or, add it to your favorite sauce in place of other meats for a more flavorful, protein-rich final product.
- Soups and stews – From ham and split pea to various kinds of chowders, black forest is at home in a wide variety of different soup recipes. Most soups and stews are also one-pot meals that make for easy meal prep—just be sure to gently warm your ham for a short period of time first. Since it’s already cooked, overheating may cause it to dry out.
Beyond these essential recipes, you can use black forest ham for ham and cheese pinwheels, ham asparagus tarts, and more. And when you get your black forest ham from Wellshire, you’ll taste it as it’s meant to be made—with the same care, quality, and attention to detail as traditional German producers.
Choose Wellshire’s Black Forest Ham for Quality, Taste, and Tradition
You don’t have to travel to the woods of southwest Germany to experience delicious, authentic black forest ham crafted in the traditional, natural style. Wellshire’s black forest cuts (plus our collection of other hams, bacon, and more) are made the way nature intended: without added nitrates, synthetic curatives, or other chemical ingredients.
The difference this traditional approach makes to the flavor and quality of the final product simply can’t be captured in words—you’ll have to taste it for yourself. Find Wellshire products in a store near you or browse them on Amazon to experience the magic of the black forest in your own kitchen.
Sources:
Black Forest Tourism. Black Forest specialties.
https://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/erleben/kulinarik/spezialitaeten#googtrans(de|en).
Yahoo!. Is Black Forest Ham Really All That Different From The Regular Kind?.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/black-forest-ham-really-different-192546988.html.
