Virginia ham is considered a state favorite and it was one of the first agricultural products that was exported from North America. Today, Virginia hams are still considered superior to any other type of ham because of the sweet, salty, and savory flavor dating back to 1700’s and 1800’s. The unique flavor of the hams often comes from a mixture of salt, sugar, and saltpeter or sodium nitrite. The unique curing process of the hams is often what sets it apart from other pork products. These specialty hams should be cured for one and a half days per pound of ham.