What is the difference between a Happy Ham and a Kite Ham?
The Happy Ham and the Kite’s Ham are both cured with the same ingredients. The Happy Ham is aged for 4 to 6 months. The Kite Ham is aged for 8 to 12 months. The Happy Ham has a milder flavor due to a shorter aging process and its moisture content. The Kite’s Ham has a more robust flavor because of the longer aging process.

What is the curing process?
That is when salt, sugar, pepper and other ingredients are hand rubbed onto the fresh hams. This is done several times during the first 40 days the hams are in refrigeration.

What is the aging process?
After the first 40 days the hams are hung in refrigeration for an additional 50 days. During this time the hams continue to cure, and will be ready for the heat process. They will continue to hang, but refrigeration is no longer needed, heat is then applied. This is the final stage before the hams are ready to be taken down and sold.

Should country cured hams that show signs of mold be discarded?
NO! DO NOT DISCARD your ham. The mold can be scrubbed off with a brush and cold water before cooking. It is a typical characteristic to cured hams and not harmful to the ham.

Where is the best place to store your Country Ham?
A cooked country ham should be refrigerated and wrapped to prevent drying out. Cooked hams can be refrigerated for up to 2 months or frozen for future use. An uncooked / unsliced ham can usually be stored in a cool dry place for up to a year.