Workers at a ham factory in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, sun-dry hams. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]
Ham in Jinhua, Zhejiang province has now entered processing and drying season.
Drying and sunning is a crucial step in the traditional ham production process. In clear and sunny weather, it takes around a week for the ham to gradually turn from white to reddish and to develop a layer of oil on the surface before moving on to the aging process.
Jinhua ham is made through eight major processes and 48 traditional techniques, including salting, drying, shaping, fermentation, shelf removal, and stacking.
Its production was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2008. Jinhua is currently home to 78 ham production enterprises, creating jobs for tens of thousands of people.
