Iberico Ham, or Jamón Ibérico, is the top-notch among billions of types of ham. Since it tastes exceptionally soft and rich with a unique acorn aroma. If you are a fan of ham, do not miss it!
Table of Contents
Where Does Iberico Ham Come From?
Iberico ham comes from Iberian Peninsula which is located in Spain and Portugal nowadays. It is made of Iberian pigs that are bred in the mountain regions of Iberian Peninsula.
Iberian pig has slender legs with a long snout and nice black hair. So they are also known as “Pata Negra ” which means black hoof. You may see this label when shopping for Iberico ham. However, there are only very few purebred Iberian pigs left as most of them were mixed with Duroc red hair pigs. To preserve Iberian pigs, the legislation of the Spanish government stipulated that only pigs with at least 50% Iberian pig blood can be labeled “Iberico”. And the purity of blood becomes one of the criteria of grading Iberico ham (will discuss below).
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Iberico Ham: Five-Star Breeding Method
Iberico ham is highly favored by worldwide gourmets as the unique five-star breeding method yields the best quality. Iberian pigs grow up in a vast oak forest while most of the other pigs grow in confinement. Each of Iberian pig has a hectare scope of activity which is even bigger than a standard football pitch! This allows the pigs to have enough acorn, olive and weed to eat and live without stress.
All these nice conditions result in a fine ham. It has a smooth, tender and melty texture. It contains rich flecks of intramuscular fat, also known as marbling, that creates a melt-in-the-mouth mouthfeel resembling marbled beef. And it tastes heavenly sweet but savory with notes of oak, nutty, floral and earthy aroma. This is why Iberico ham is so expensive, never cheap!
How to Choose Iberico Ham?
There are several varieties of Iberico ham and which should you choose? We’ve done all the homework for you!
1. Four Grades of Iberico Ham
To control the quality, the Spanish government legislated an official grading system of Iberico ham. There are four grades categorised mainly by purity of breed and diet. They ranked from the best “Bellota 100% Ibérico”, “Bellota Ibérico”, “Cebo de Campo Ibérico” to “Cebo Ibérico”. The grade is determined by the breed’s purity and feed, and each grade is represented by a color so consumers can easily distinguish them. Below is a brief summary chart of these four grades:
| Bellota 100% Ibérico | Bellota Ibérico | Cebo de Campo Ibérico | Cebo Ibérico | |
| Representing Color | Black | Red | Green | White |
| Breeding | Free range | Free range | Free range | Not free range |
| Purity of Breed | 100% pure-bred Iberian | 50% Iberian | 50% Iberian | 50% Iberian |
| Feed | Acorns | Acorns | Acorns and grain | Grain |
2. Aging Time
The authentic Iberico ham is aged at least 24 months. Typically, there are 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 months to choose. But longer aging time does not necessarily mean better quality. Grade is the primary indicator of its quality. In most cases, Iberico ham aged 36 months is just right.
3. Hind or Front
Generally, ham refers to the aged hind leg of pig, yet shoulder is an alternative choice.
Hind leg, or Jamón in Spanish, is meatier which has a 6:4 meat to fat ratio. It tastes relatively firmer, juicier and less salty. It is regarded as the yummier part and so pricier but worth it.
On the other hand, the shoulder (front leg), or Paleta in Spanish, has a 4:6 meat to fat ratio. It is softer and saltier when compared to the hind leg.
And sometimes, some artisans will age pork loin in the same way as ham. It is also a good try!
4. Cutting
Apart from the above factors, you have to consider the cutting as well. There are two choices to shop for—whole ham (bone-in and boneless) and sliced versions.
For the best tasting experience, whole ham is the champion. Thinly slice from the whole ham whenever you eat it and this keeps the most complete fresh flavors. There are bone-in and boneless to choose from. The bone-in version needs more carving work but the bone richen with an extra subtle flavor. On the other hand, the boneless version makes everything easier.
Whole ham is fabulous but may not be suitable for the first try, sliced version is more beginner-friendly. You can just buy a few ounces and absolutely no carving work is needed.
How to Eat Iberico Ham?
So…how to enjoy this luxurious treasure? There are many ways to taste, but do remember to serve Iberico ham raw! Do not heat it.
1. On its Own
It’s fabulous to eat on its own raw since Iberico ham itself tastes rich with a distinctive acorn aroma. Enjoy its original flavors with Fino Sherry, Pinot Noir, Barolo or Sauvignon Blanc.
2. Tomato Bread and Gazpacho
This is classic in Spain, especially Barcelona. Just simply prepare a bread topped with minced tomato, add two slices of Iberico ham and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil with a bit of sea salt. It’s simple but fresh and makes the umami of Iberico ham stand out. Some families may also pair it with Gazpacho, a Spanish cold soup made of raw, blended tomatoes and other vegetables.
3. Cheese
Parmesan 
Manchego 
Emmental
Ham and cheese is an undeniable perfect match! They are complementary to each other. Parmesan, Manchego and Emmental are the poetic choices with Iberico ham. Also, serve with drinks like Fino Sherry, Pinot Noir and Riesling.
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How to Store Iberico Ham?
For the whole ham, you don’t need to refrigerate. But remember to cover the sliced area with plastic wrap, and hang it in a dry, cool and ventilated place. Also, keep it away from direct heat or sunlight.
On the other hand, the pre-sliced version of Iberico ham should be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator (1-5°C; or 34-41°F). Before eating, take out the refrigerated ham one hour in advance. Then, use hot water to rinse a plate and wipe dry. Next, put the ham on the plate until the fat melts and redolent with aroma.
Summary
No one can resist the rich, savory, acorny and nutty Iberico ham. It’s pricey but the best choice for celebrations like anniversaries or birthdays. Give a surprise to your lover and both of you must be satisfied with this unbeatable ham!
Click here to buy Whole Iberico Ham or Sliced Iberico Ham. And apply our unique 10% discount code: KitchenTeller on the Basket page or the Payment page during checkout!
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