Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

[Link]

Or does it? It should not!

Plainsman’s cooking ham post reminded me that I had told a couple people that I would ask here on Iboats.

We will just use a pre-cooked smoked ham from the store for this example.

Wife and I have tried this experiment many times, with both of our families and at friend’s parties. I slice a ham so thin that you can barely even hold the slices up without them tearing apart.

We both think it tastes better this way.
When we make up platters with the paper thin slices along with 1/32 and 1/16 slices with different cheeses, crackers etc, the paper thin always gets eaten first.
Example a week ago we made a platter from a 4 pound ham
3 pounds cut paper thin and ½ pound each of the latter.

As always all of the super thin was gone and we took left over ham home of the other two. (One pound total)

This has been consistent for the last four years since we started doing this.

There is no logical reason for this. It should taste the same.
It is not a chewing thing either. Everyone just says that they like it better.
Including me and my wife.

We think it might just be a texture thing.

Your thoughts?

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

Don't invite me around mate. I'll throw your theory out of kilter.
One of our Xmas traditions is a pre-cooked ham, on the bone, eaten cold, in big thick slices.
Me and the worker have indicated to the wife to forget the sliced-at-the-shop ham in our lunch sandwhiches, and give us a meat pie of a vegimite and cheese sanger.
No taste in that ham.
Cheers
phillip

 

[rwise]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

I like the 1" thick cut myself, the flavor leaks out of the thin stuff
good morning LInk

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

Don't invite me around mate. I'll throw your theory out of kilter.
One of our Xmas traditions is a pre-cooked ham, on the bone, eaten cold, in big thick slices.
Me and the worker have indicated to the wife to forget the sliced-at-the-shop ham in our lunch sandwhiches, and give us a meat pie of a vegimite and cheese sanger.
No taste in that ham.
Cheers
phillip

Sounds like you'd need something mighty stout to wash that all down with? A tall Fosters maybe?8)

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

Mild Chedder cheese is the same way. Thinner is better.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

A huge part of taste is the sense of smell. When you thin slice stuff there is more exposed surface area for both senses. At least thats what they told me when I was a cook.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

I know that with a good deli sandwich, they cut it paper thin and pile it high. Of course they do the same with all the meat.

 

[JB]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

It doesn't change the taste, Link. It does enhance the fragrance, but that's not why they seem to prefer it.

They have this fantasy that thinly sliced ham (or cheeze) has fewer calories and less fat, no matter how much of it you eat.

Can't stand that deli stuff. You can read a newspaper through it and it takes half a dozen slices to taste like real ham and it is loaded with added water.

Thick slice, with a thick slice of Swiss and plenty of mustard and mayo on fresh homemade German rye. Now that is real food. Oh, and a tall, cold Becks.

Drool! Dang! Hungry now. :%

I'll be back in a while.8)

 

[bekosh]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

Thick slice, with a thick slice of Swiss and plenty of mustard and mayo on fresh homemade German rye. Now that is real food. Oh, and a tall, cold Becks.

Drool! Dang! Hungry now. :%

I'll be back in a while.8)

OH YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Spicy brown mustard, not the yellow stuff and a tall glass of Guinness or a Black & Tan for me.
Mmmmmmmm.:toast:

 

[Link]

Re: Slicing Ham paper thin, why does it change the taste?

A huge part of taste is the sense of smell. When you thin slice stuff there is more exposed surface area for both senses. At least thats what they told me when I was a cook.

I think you nailed it.
Soul Winner I think we like it for the same reasons.

Phil
rwise
boomyal
bekosh
JB

Can't argue what you have to say as I (we) like thick sliced the same way also.

But for eating "just" ham by itself it's back to what BMB said.

JB
"They have this fantasy that thinly sliced ham (or cheeze) has fewer calories and less fat, no matter how much of it you eat."

A LOT of truth to what you said. (sad to say)
Sort of like give me Big Mac with Super sized fries and a "Diet" coke! Like that diet coke is going to help!

Boomyal
Another reason for slicing deli meat thin is that you can make
a 1/4 lb of meat to look like 1/2 lb! Slice it thin and pile it high!
Double it over and don't press down.

Like BMB I also worked in the fast food for awhile. 1960's
Before subs etc. But even then they taught us how to fill a
french fry bag to make it look like it had double the amount
of fries in them.

rwise
Belated good morning (24 hrs later)
12:30 am is my time to go to bed.
3:30 am is your time to start your day!

Thanks for the input