A Brief History on Iberico Ham - Popular Spanish Food

A Brief History on Iberico Ham - Popular Spanish Food

Iberico Ham (or Jamon Iberico) has been called the finest ham in all the world. It is a delicacy that Spaniards and non-Spaniards alike wax poetic about – for good reason!

If you have visited Spain, you will likely have seen this culinary masterpiece in your travels.

Jamon Iberico is a dry-cured ham that is produced in Europe and has a very smooth texture. The flavour of Jamon Iberico is rich and savoury, with lots of fat marbling throughout. The curing process used to make Jamon Iberico is a process that has been used for centuries, and is a method of salt-curing to protect the meat from bacteria, make the meat last longer and even allow for it’s delicious flavours to become more pronounced over time.

To be considered Jamon Iberico, they must be at least 50% Iberian breed - the higher the percentage, the more prized they are. The black Iberico animals of Spain (also known as Pata Negra) have been found in Spain for millennia; they are a cultural mainstay, a crucial part of the environment, and there are even festivals in their honour.

The best Iberian Hams you will find are Acorn-Fed (also known as Bellota-fed), which is the traditional way of enjoying these meats. The acorns give a nutty flavour to the meat producing a very unique taste.

In addition to its delicious flavour, Jamon Iberico offers a very unique at-home experience if you’re hosting a dinner party. Watch this video to learn how to carve an Iberico Ham with an Arcos knife:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5agOfEn5q0w&feature=emb_title

You will find a variety of Jamon Iberico cured meats at TheSpanishStore.com from Bone-In Legs to Boneless, Pre-sliced, Culars and more. We also offer Acorn-fed, Countryside-fed and Fodder-fed – all with their own unique flavour qualities!

Our Bone-In Iberico Hams are crafted with care, one-by-one, in the old way, by Marco Salamanca in the small town of Sotoserrano. They utilize an old artisanal recipe handed down from generation to generation. If you would like to read more about their curing process, visit this link: https://www.marcossalamanca.com/en/curing-process/

Our pre-sliced options from Beher are cut by the team of master cutter Anselmo Pérez to the perfect size and thickness - perfect for enjoying as a simple-to-prepare snack with friends.

There are many options to enjoy this Spanish delicacy!

Shop Iberico Ham online at The Spanish Store: Canada’s one-of-a-kind online store for Spain’s most exquisite food, home and décor articles, drinks and lifestyle items.: https://thespanishstore.com/collections/iberian

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