If Your Ham Has a Rainbow Sheen, Here’s What It Means
You’re making yourself a sandwich, you peel back a slice of ham, and—bam—there it is. A weird, almost magical rainbow sheen staring back at you. If you’re like most people, you probably pause and wonder, “Should I eat this? Is it still good, or is this some kind of warning sign?”
The good news? It’s not a warning. It’s science doing its thing, and I’m here to break it down for you.
What’s That Rainbow Sheen on Ham?
Let’s start with the basics. That rainbow effect you’re seeing on your ham isn’t mold, bacteria, or anything dangerous. It’s a completely natural occurrence—one that’s actually pretty cool when you think about it.
If you’ve ever seen sunlight bounce off a soap bubble or a puddle with oil in it, you’ve witnessed a similar effect. The rainbow sheen happens when light hits the surface of your ham and scatters into different colors. It’s called iridescence, and it’s a lot more common in processed meats like ham or roast beef.