What is serrano ham and what does TSG mean?

What counts as serrano ham

Serrano ham is a pig’s hind leg subjected to salting, resting, drying and maturation. It loses water during this process and develops its characteristic texture, aroma and flavour through changes in the meat and fat [1].

Not every cured ham necessarily uses the registered name with the TSG term. To recognise a certified product, read the full sales name and look for the corresponding European reference or symbol on the label.

What a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed certifies

European rules allow a name to be registered as a TSG when it describes a product made through traditional practice or from traditionally used raw materials [2]. Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture includes Jamón Serrano in its current TSG list [3].

The guarantee focuses on traditional character and compliance with the specification. Businesses using the name with the certified term undergo conformity assessment and controls [1].

What TSG does not mean

A TSG does not work like a PDO: by itself, it does not tie every production stage to a delimited territory. Nor does it mean ibérico, which describes a different product category with its own requirements.

Serrano, ibérico, PDO, PGI and TSG answer different questions. Before comparing prices, identify the sales name, any quality mark, the format and the producer information.

How to find useful information on the label

Start with the legal sales name, then read the ingredients, weight, storage conditions, date and responsible food business. If the pack claims TSG status, check that the term and symbol form part of the product labelling.

For sliced packs, also check whether the stated weight is net, how the pack should be stored and how soon the manufacturer recommends eating it after opening.

Common questions