Spain is famous all around the world for its delicious and healthy range of food items. There is a wide variety of them- right from a smorgasboard of tapas, churros, with hot chocolates, to gin and tonics. But one item that foodies love about this country is Iberian Ham . It comprises an exquisite aroma, cherishing its beautiful marbling and letting it gently melt on the tongue. Iberian Ham is an integral part of Spanish cuisine and adds so much flavor to any simple dish. It’s often combined with fried eggs and potatoes, with some fresh artichokes or porra soup. But the best way to enjoy the unique taste of ham is to simply eat it without anything. Just pair it with a good wine.If you are looking to buy Iberian Ham for the next meal, then there are multiple factors that have to be considered. Read on here to know about them:
iberian ham
Color
Made from pure or crossbred Iberian pigs, Jamon Iberico is available in four varieties – determined by diet, breed and how they are raised. If you spot white tag on the Iberian Ham, then that indicates it is Jamon Iberico de cebo , which is commercially raised on an open farm and fed a diet of cereals. The green Iberian Ham indicates that it is commercially raised on an open farm and fed a diet of cereals. A white tag indicates Iberian bacon, which are commercially raised on an open farm and fed a diet of cereals. Green color specifies ham Ibéricocebo field, in which the swine are also fed a diet of cereals, but are free range.In case you spot a red tag, then that means you’re purchasing acorn-fed ham from free-range, non-purebred pigs that have been fed with only acorns during their final months. The highest grade, though,
When purchasing Iberico ham, try to find wafer-thin slices with a bright red hue and transparent fat. Meats with white dots are also considered one of the best because they are formed by crystallization of tyrosine.
IBERIAN BREED
The best Iberian ham is sourced from Iberian pork which is a black pig, having a mix between wild boar and the pigs that were brought by Phoenicians to the Peninsula thousands of years ago. You can find 100% Iberian hams as well as 75% or 50%, depending on the fact that the pigs were crossed with other pigs like the Duroc. The diet on the other side can be divided into three groups – Bellota (100% acorn fed), Field bait (some acorns, resources of the pasture, grain, and feed), and Cebo (only commercial feed). Among the three, acorn is of the highest quality, since pigs roam in pastures and oak groves to feed themselves on acorns, aromatic plants, grasses, and herbs.
LABEL
In order to help the customers choose the right quality of Ham, an official labeling system was introduced in 2014. Black ham is said to be 100% Iberian and acorn fed. Similarly, the red one is 50% Iberian, acorn fed. Green and white hams also contain at least 50% Iberian. The elaboration of the ham itself is simple – that is needed, it is necessary to maintain an optimum temperature and humidity throughout the process. The curing of the ham then takes at least 14 months and up to 36 months.
Well, these were a few tips for choosing the best quality of Iberian ham. Besides its taste, ham is good for health. It’s rich in protein, calcium and phosphorous, as well as Vitamin B1, B2 and iron. Above all, the acorn-fed pigs have a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids and iron.
In case you are looking to get some of the best qualities of Iberian ham, then look no forward than Gastronomic Spain. We offer organically soured, and fresh Iberian hams, that too at affordable prices. Just place your order, and get it delivered right to your doorsteps.
