What do you add to the water when boiling ham?

[BuntyPenfold]

I have added dark brown sugar, cloves, a little star anise, cinnamon and a spoonful of chili jam (because it was there).
Any more suggestions? :)

Those are new ones on me :) I usually paint my ham with those when I bake the ham (not wanting to doubt you but have you checked the recipe), the things I usually add to the water when boiling a ham are a few peppercorns, couple of bay leaves and maybe some chunks of celery and carrots just to flavour the water as this makes a nice stock to make soup with (I usually boil up the ham first, get rid of that water then put in fresh water with the added flavourings, etc).

Peppercorns, cloves, carrot, onion and bayleaves. Standard for stock, stew anything really.

Even have been known to put a clove and a bayleaf in an apple pie, but not the carrot and onion.

coca cola and black pepper.

250ml of good dry cider, bay leaf, carrots, celery and onions.
Then when it's cooked, reduce the liquid down and add some butter mixed with flour to thicken.

Irn bru? love it! I might give that a try!!

Strong Cider and star anise, peppercorns,and chilli flakes. Makes great soup after with added fresh veggies and lentils.

Coca cola and a red onion cut into 2 halves.