jambon cru vs jambon cuit

ByFast French

What is “jambon cru” in French? What is “jambon cuit?” Both are types of meat made from the same cut of pork. But what is the difference?

“Jambon cru” means “raw ham” or “uncooked ham.” Raw ham sounds dangerous to eat, but jambon cru is fine. It is a ham that has been cured over a long period of time – usually about two years. It is roughly similar to the Italian “prosciutto” cured ham in appearance and method of preparation. This cured meat needs to be kept out of the heat, but it doesn’t require refridgeration per se. It is a type of ham that was prepared and eaten long before fridges were invented.

“Jambon cuit” translates as “cooked ham” (literally “ham cooked”). It is cooked in either boiling water or steam for a period of several hours. This type of ham needs to be kept in the fridge before eating, because it has a much higher water content than jambon cru. It is somewhat similar to the kind of ham that is used in sandwiches in English speaking countries.

Jambon cru has twice as much fat content as jambon cuit. However the flavour of jambon cru is more intense and complex than jambon cuit, so the French tend to eat smaller quantities of jambon cru. The curing process creates strong, interesting flavours in jambon cru.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • verb: se moquer de

    ByFast French

    Etymology of “Se Moquer De” The verb “se moquer de” finds its roots in Old French, where the word “mocquer” meant “to mock” or “to make fun of.” Over time, this verb evolved, and the reflexive form “se moquer de” emerged. Usage of “Se Moquer De”

  • Possession

    ByFast French

    Indicating Ownership or Possession in French Using “à moi,” “à toi,” “à lui,” “à elle,” “à nous,” “à vous,” “à eux,” and “à elles” and How They Differ from Possessive Pronouns In French, indicating ownership or possession can be done in various ways, two of which include using the phrases “à moi,” “à toi,” “à…

  • because

    ByFast French

    How do you say “because” in French? Most learners are familiar with “parce que,” meaning “because.” “Parce que” is followed by a phrase containing a verb. That means you can’t use “parce que” to say something like “I won’t go to the beach, because of the rain.” The words “the rain” don’t contain a verb,…

  • penser que

    ByFast French

    “Penser que” means “to think that” and introduces opinions, beliefs, or suppositions. Unlike “penser à” (to think about) and “penser de” (to think of/have an opinion about), “penser que” specifically introduces a complete thought or statement that the speaker believes to be true. Basic structure and meaning “Penser que” requires the subjunctive mood in negative…

  • soit…soit

    ByFast French

    In the French language, there’s a handy construction called “soit…soit.” This structure is used to present alternatives or choices. It’s a bit like saying “either…or” in English. Let’s delve into how it works and how you can use it effectively. The word “soit” means “either” or “whether” in English. When repeated, it emphasizes the choice…