I would like to think that the condiments in a ham sandwich are perfectly obvious. Of course, I must always stop myself before I go too far. I must remember that not everyone has had the same amount of prepared lunch experience as I have. I shall elucidate for those that find the condiments I choose perplexing.
Mustard and mayonnaise are essential to the taste of a ham sandwich. The mustard will definitely enhance the smoky and sharp flavours of the roast ham and the cheddar. The mayo will help pull back the possible chewyness of the crust, making the bread much more pleasant. I'll admit my own trepidations over including such a distasteful egg-base, but even I must concede it's overall importance in the hamming experience.
Olives, again, I am not fond of these. You'll notice that I chose to go with green olives over black olives (which many find more palatable). The reasoning goes to my future presentation of the ham sandwich. Can you imagine a picturesque ham sandwich without a green olive sticking out of the top with a toothpick? This has become the iconic hamwich. The taste of the olive may be bitter and sour on it's own, but it adds an entirely new and important dimension of flavour.
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