Wholesale Eisbein

Types of Eisbeins available

• Smoked and stuffed Eisbeins
• Pickled Eisbeins

Interesting information

You may have seen the word ‘Eisbein’ on a restaurant menu; if you’ve had one, you’ll know it’s absolutely delicious! But…

Did you know that eisbein is a German dish prepared using an (often pickled or cured) ham hock? The hock (also known as the pork knuckle) is the joint between the tibia/fibula (leg bones) and the metatarsals (the bones of the forefoot) of a pig.

How it should be cooked

The ham hock is usually simmered in boiling water. This allows the meat to soften; the skin and fat introduce a distinct, memorable flavour. It’s considered one of the easier cuts of pork to cook.

It’s generally served with another German staple food, sauerkraut which is actually fermented cabbage and salt. It’s known for its typically tangy, zesty flavour. Interestingly, sauerkraut doesn’t contain any other ingredients. China and Korea make their own version called kimchi, which adds to many dishes, giving it a unique flavour with an acidic kick. Poland also has a similar dish called Golonka.

Traditionally, a whole eisbein is served as a single portion, including the bone and skin. It’s considered a succulent, hearty, flavour-filled meat dish. The meat of a well-cooked Eisbein should ‘fall off the bone’; the skin is also typically soft. If you prefer crispy skin, it can be cured and baked in an oven. If you choose this method, it’s recommended that you brush the Eisbein with a glaze before baking.

Whatever your preference may be, you can be assured it will taste fantastic, leaving you craving a second (or third) helping. Enjoy!

Nutritional information

Based on an approximately 500g serving of Eisbein.

• Protein: 104g
• Total Carbohydrates: 0g – 5g
• Saturated Fat: 18.4g
• Trans Fat 0.6g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 6.7g
• Monounsaturated Fat 28.8g
• Total Fat 59.2g
• Salt 14.4g
• Potassium 264mg
• Dietary Fibre 0g
• Sugars 0g

As you can see, plain eisbein is very high in protein and, without any sugar-based basting, doesn’t contain any carbohydrates. It’s also high in monounsaturated fat (the good type of fat).