Serrano and Iberian ham are both Spanish dry-cured hams, but the names identify different products. Compare the label and format before deciding which suits your meal.
Serrano ham
Serrano ham is generally made from white pig breeds. It works well in sandwiches, tapas and shared appetizer plates. Curing information varies by producer, so check the product listing rather than applying one aging period to every ham.
Iberian ham
Iberian ham labels include breed percentage and feeding category. Bellota refers to the acorn-feeding category; cebo de campo and cebo are other categories. Not every Iberian ham is bellota.
Which should you choose?
For a first tasting, buy clearly labelled sliced packs and compare them with the same simple accompaniments. For a larger gathering, decide whether you want ready-sliced portions or the equipment and work involved in carving a whole ham.
Compare like with like
Compare net weight, producer, breed percentage, feeding category, curing information and included accessories. A whole bone-in ham's weight includes bone and other material; it is not the same as the weight of ready-to-eat slices.
Related guides and recipes
Explore current options: Spanish & Iberico Ham.