Ham vs. Pork

Main Difference

Pig meat is one of the most commonly consumed meat across the globe. Western Countries are the most prominent consumers of it as they use it in dozens of dishes. People usually get in terms with Ham and Pork, when it is about meat derived from Pigs. Though many believe that they are exactly the same or have a difference as they are derived from the two different types of pigs. It should be kept mentioned here that both are pig meats in general. Pork is the raw pig meat whereas, Ham is cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by salting, smoking, or wet curing. A specific cut of meat from the pig, especially the thigh part is also called Ham.

Ham vs. Pork — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Ham and Pork

Ham vs. Pork

Pork is the raw pig meat whereas, Ham is cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by salting, smoking, or wet curing.

Ham vs. Pork

A specific cut of meat from the pig, especially the thigh part is also called Ham.

Ham vs. Pork

As Ham is the cured and preserved form of pig meat it can be kept for longer time in shelves as compare to the raw pig meat pork.

Ham vs. Pork

Ham is available in ready-to cook form at supermarkets, whereas pork is available in raw form.

Ham vs. Pork

Ham is the thigh part of pig meat, and it is used in Fast Food, whereas Pork can used differently in cuisines across the globe.

Ham vs. Pork

Ham is used in ham sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, hamburgers, whereas pork is a prominent ingredient in sausages, salami, and bacon.

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Hamnoun

(anatomy) The region back of the knee joint; the popliteal space; the hock.

Porknoun

(uncountable) The meat of a pig; swineflesh.

The cafeteria serves pork on Tuesdays.

Hamnoun

(countable) A thigh and buttock of an animal slaughtered for meat.

Porknoun

Funding proposed or requested by a member of Congress for special interests or his or her constituency as opposed to the good of the country as a whole.

Hamnoun

(uncountable) Meat from the thigh of a hog cured for food.

a little piece of ham for the cat

Porkverb

To have sex with (someone).

Animal House, Universal Pictures, 1978:
Boon: Marlene! Don't tell me you're gonna pork Marlene Desmond!
Otter: Pork?
Boon: You're gonna hump her brains out, aren't you?
Otter: Boon, I anticipate a deeply religious experience.
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Hamnoun

The back of the thigh.

Porknoun

meat from a domestic hog or pig

Hamnoun

Electronic mail that is wanted; mail that is not spam or junk mail.

Porknoun

a legislative appropriation designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents

Hamnoun

obsolete form of home

Hamnoun

(acting) an overacting or amateurish performer; an actor with an especially showy or exaggerated style

Hamnoun

(radio) an amateur radio operator

Hamverb

(acting) To overact; to act with exaggerated emotions.

Hamnoun

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

Hamnoun

(Old Testament) son of Noah

Hamnoun

a licensed amateur radio operator

Hamnoun

an unskilled actor who overacts

Hamverb

exaggerate one's acting

Comparison Chart

HamPork
Ham is cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by salting, smoking, or wet curing.Pork is the raw pig meat.
Time in Shelves
MoreLess
Availability
Ham is available in ready-to cook form at supermarkets.Pork is available in raw form.
Fast Food or Other Cuisines
Ham is the thigh part of pig meat, and it is used in Fast Food.Pork can used differently in cuisines across the globe.
Mostly used in
Ham is used in ham sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, hamburgers.Pork is a prominent ingredient in sausages, salami, and bacon.

What is Ham?

Ham is the cured or preserved pig meat that is kept by by salting, smoking, or wet curing. Relative to the pork it can be preserved for longer time and is available in ready-to-cook packages at supermarkets. Ham is also used in sandwiches, burgers and other fast foods and is mostly available in thin slices. Ham is consumed from the similar pig meat as of pork, or better we can say that all ham is pork but not all pork is ham. Ham can either be from domestic pig or from any other pig type like the pork, though it is preserved and cured.

What is Pork?

Pork is the culinary name for the pig meat, it is in raw form and is used in hundreds of cuisines worldwide as it is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. Pork is eaten in various forms such as roasted, smoked, cooked, salted, or grilled, even some of its recipes get two or more than two treatments like this. What Mutton is to goat and Beef is to cow is what Pork is to pig. Pork is the raw pig meat that is later consumed in various forms. The preserved and cured pig meat especially of thigh part is called Ham. It will be pertinent to mention here that one of the most consumed pig meat (pork) is absent from regions like Asia, Middle East and Africa as it is considered as taboo in some religions. In religions like Islam and Judaism, pork is prohibited and its intake is seen as an offence.