Prague ham facts for kids
Prague Ham (called Pražská šunka in Czech and Prager Schinken in German) is a special kind of Ham. It comes from Prague in the Czech Republic. This ham is made by soaking it in a salty water mix (called brine-cured). Then, it is cooked slowly and gently smoked using beechwood. This gives it a mild, delicious flavor.
Usually, Prague Ham does not have a bone. But if it is cooked with the bone still in, it's called šunka od kosti. Many people think this version is a special treat!
Prague Ham was first sold in the 1860s by a butcher named Antonín Chmel. His shop was in Prague. By the 1920s and 1930s, it became very popular and was sold all over the world. Other countries even started making their own versions.
Today, Prague Ham is a "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" food in the European Union and the UK. This means it can only be made in a very specific way to keep its special quality and taste.
Enjoying Prague Ham
You can find Prague Ham in restaurants and from street vendors in Prague. It is often served with boiled potatoes. Many people also enjoy it with traditional Czech beer.
Street vendors usually sell the ham by weight. So, you can choose how much you want to buy!
Prague Ham Around the World
Because Prague Ham is so famous, it has different names in many languages. These names are officially registered as part of its "Traditional Speciality Guaranteed" status. Here are a few examples:
- In Bulgarian: Пражка шунка
- In Czech and Slovakian: Pražská šunka
- In German: Prager Schinken
- In Italian: Prosciutto di Praga
- In Spanish: Jamón de Praga
See also
- In Spanish: Jamón de Praga para niños
