While delicious, few people stop to think about what part of the pig ham comes from, and unlike ribs, belly, and shoulder cuts, there really isn't anything in the name to clue you in. Don't worry ...

As a cut, ham is divided into two parts: the rump and the shank. The rump is higher up on a pig and typically fattier. The shank is the lower part of the ham and is often tougher and less fatty.