What Is Honey Maple Ham: A Sweet and Savory Treat

Honey maple ham is a delicious type of ham that is glazed with a sweet and sticky mixture of maple syrup and honey. This unique ham offers the perfect balance of savory pork flavor and sweet maple notes in every bite. If you love the taste of maple syrup and the aroma of honey then honey maple ham is a must-try meat for your next gathering or holiday feast.

A Brief History of Honey Maple Ham

The origins of honey maple ham can be traced back to colonial America Maple syrup has been produced in North America for centuries, originally by Native American tribes who collected sap from maple trees and concentrated it into sweet maple syrup. European settlers adopted these maple sugaring practices and began experimenting with uses for maple syrup

One popular use was combining maple syrup with cured and smoked pork to create a new kind of sweet, smoky ham. Early recipes called for brushing maple syrup directly onto a cooked ham during the last 30 minutes of baking. The maple sugars would caramelize, forming a shiny, sticky glaze on the ham’s exterior.

Over time, cooks started enhancing the glaze by adding ingredients like brown sugar, spices, and fruit juices. The addition of honey to maple ham glazes became popular in the 1900s. The honey lent a richer sweetness and viscosity to the glaze. The maple and honey flavors perfectly complement the salty, savory flavor of the ham.

What Makes Honey Maple Ham Special

Honey maple ham gets its distinctive flavor from its signature glaze containing pure maple syrup and clover honey. The preparation process also contributes to the ham’s unique properties:

• Curing – The pork leg is cured with water, salt, sugar, and nitrites. This imparts seasoning throughout the meat and preserves it.

• Smoking – Many honeys maple hams are smoked over hardwood chips. Smoking infuses the ham with a smoky, wood-fired flavor.

• Slow Baking – The ham is slowly baked at a low temperature which gently cooks the meat while allowing the glaze to caramelize.

• Glazing – The ham is repeatedly brushed with a glaze of maple syrup and honey during baking. The glaze penetrates the meat’s surface and gives each slice a sweet finish.

Glaze Variations

There are many possible recipes for honey maple ham glazes. The basic formula contains maple syrup and honey as the main ingredients. From there, various extras can provide unique flavors:

• Spices – cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mustard

• Fruits – orange, pineapple, cherry

• Sweeteners – brown sugar, molasses

• Savory flavors – soy sauce, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard

So a glaze may combine maple syrup, honey, orange juice, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves. Or maple syrup, honey, pineapple juice, ginger, and soy sauce. The options are endless!

Buying Honey Maple Ham

For the best quality honey maple ham, look for brands that use real maple syrup in their glazes, not just maple flavoring. The ingredient list should specifically state pure maple syrup, not just “maple flavor.” The honey should also be real honey, not a honey flavoring.

Many major deli meat brands offer honey maple ham varieties, such as Boar’s Head and Columbus. You can typically find honey maple ham in the packaged deli section at grocery stores. It may also be available from the deli counter, where you can get it freshly sliced.

Online mail order companies are another option for buying high-end honey maple ham from specialty producers. Diestel Family Ranch, for example, sells their honey maple ham online. When buying ham online, choose expedited shipping methods and consume within 7-10 days of delivery for maximum freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Honey maple ham offers the same nutritional benefits as regular cured ham, plus a boost of minerals from the maple syrup:

• High-quality protein – Ham is rich in protein, with 10g per 2oz serving. This makes it great for sandwiches.

• B vitamins – Ham provides a range of B vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, and B12. These support energy metabolism.

• Minerals – Maple syrup contains minerals like manganese, zinc, calcium and potassium. Honey also provides trace amounts of nutrients.

• Low fat – Ham is a lean cut of meat, with only 1g of fat per serving. Making it a healthier choice than many pork products.

Be mindful of the sodium content, as a 2oz serving of deli ham contains about 500-600mg sodium. Enjoy honey maple ham in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Serving Suggestions

There are endless options for serving and enjoying honey maple ham:

• Sandwiches – Layer slices of ham with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard, etc. Grilled ham and cheese is a classic.

• Breakfast – Fry ham slices instead of bacon. Add to omelets, hashes, and egg bakes.

• Appetizers – Roll up ham slices with cream cheese and pickle. Skewer ham for easy finger food.

• Soups & Salads – Dice ham for soups. Add to greens, pasta, potato and grain salads.

• Main Dishes – Make a ham steak or add to fried rice, pasta bakes, and casseroles.

• Sweet Treats – Combine diced ham with cornbread or biscuit mix and bake. Layer in crepes and pancakes.