Tyrosine crystals in Iberian ham

If you are a regular consumer of Iberian ham or acorn-fed shoulder, you will have come across small white dots among the marbling on more than one occasion. This is what we know as tyrosine crystals .

There are many myths surrounding them, but contrary to popular belief, they are not synonymous with the piece being damaged or of poor quality. Quite the contrary!

Tyrosine crystals are an amino acid that sometimes appear in hams or shoulders, as long as the piece has been cured slowly and carefully . We could say that it would be a sign, although not exclusive or eliminatory, that the ham you are going to enjoy is of good quality.

What exactly are these crystals and why do they appear?

Tyrosine is one of the 20 amino acids that make up animal proteins and its appearance is directly related to the maturation process of the food. They are not exclusive to Iberian hams and shoulders , in fact, if you have any mature cheese at home, you can also see these small white dots.

Although tyrosine is present in all animal proteins, they must be broken down to form free amino acids that crystallise. During the maturation of the pieces, the water in the ham is eliminated and, at the same time, the tyrosine regroups and forms these small white dots , also (less) known as tyrosine crystals.

So, can tyrosine crystals be eaten?

Yes. Tyrosine crystals are completely harmless and almost imperceptible in the mouth, as long as they are of a normal size. They are not bad for your health and do not affect the flavour of the Iberian ham or shoulder . And that is a good thing because they are almost impossible to remove as they are distributed throughout the piece, although they are always found more in the lean area, especially in the maza, than in the fatty area.

Tyrosine crystals can be used as an indicator of the type of ham you are eating and its quality, since if there is an exaggerated amount of these white spots it may mean that the piece has been previously frozen or that it has a very high pH, ​​as for example in white pigs.

In summary

Tyrosine crystals are those white dots that appear on some Iberian hams and shoulders and indicate that the piece has enjoyed a slow, artisanal and appropriate maturation process. You can eat them without any problem, since they do not affect the organoleptic properties of the ham. And to avoid problems and being sold a pig in a poke, or a white pig in a poke, only buy from trusted places like Don Ibérico .