Quality to be protected
Just like serrano hams, there are also official Origin Guarantee stamps (Protected Denominations of Origin) for Iberico hams that certify their origin and ensure that they have been produced following traditional methods. There are currently four of them located in the west of Spain:
On the other hand, the Extremenian pastures are extensive and embrace over 1 million hectares. The production area of Iberico ham from Dehesa de Extremadura includes 40 towns in Badajoz province and 45 towns in Cáceres province. The area boasts a mainly continental climate and it is said that the dry breeze that blows in the mountain ranges of Extremadura confer a delicate taste and intense but pleasant aroma to the hams produced there.
Iberico ham from Huelva is produced in 31 towns located in La Sierra county in the north of this province, where the yearly rainfall is quiet high. The iberico pigs, though, have been raised in the pastures scattered throughout the provinces of Huelva, Cádiz, Córdoba, Sevilla, Cáceres y Badajoz. The hams obtained are fragrant and slightly salty.
Finally, the hams produced in the Valley of Los Pedroches in the province of Córdoba have a pleasant aroma and a texture not at all fibrous. The law that created the D.O.P. Los Pedroches was passed only in 2006 and makes this certification the most recent one in the Olympus of Spanish iberico hams.
The requisites of these four D.O.P.s are quite similar although we can find a few slight differences such as the minimum ham aging periods required, which range from 16 to 20 months.
It is worth mentioning that an Iberico ham without an Origin Guarantee can be as good as one with it. However, whilst the latter has passed strict tests to guarantee the breed of the pig, its weight, its origin, its feeding, a minimum ageing period, etc. –hence its higher price- with the former, you depend on the producer’s reputation and ability on delivering a quality product.
For a fine selection of Spanish Hams please visit our Spanish food online store.
- Iberico ham from Guijuelo
- Iberico ham from Dehesa de Extremadura
- Iberico ham from Huelva
- Iberico ham from Pedroches
On the other hand, the Extremenian pastures are extensive and embrace over 1 million hectares. The production area of Iberico ham from Dehesa de Extremadura includes 40 towns in Badajoz province and 45 towns in Cáceres province. The area boasts a mainly continental climate and it is said that the dry breeze that blows in the mountain ranges of Extremadura confer a delicate taste and intense but pleasant aroma to the hams produced there.
Iberico ham from Huelva is produced in 31 towns located in La Sierra county in the north of this province, where the yearly rainfall is quiet high. The iberico pigs, though, have been raised in the pastures scattered throughout the provinces of Huelva, Cádiz, Córdoba, Sevilla, Cáceres y Badajoz. The hams obtained are fragrant and slightly salty.
Finally, the hams produced in the Valley of Los Pedroches in the province of Córdoba have a pleasant aroma and a texture not at all fibrous. The law that created the D.O.P. Los Pedroches was passed only in 2006 and makes this certification the most recent one in the Olympus of Spanish iberico hams.
The requisites of these four D.O.P.s are quite similar although we can find a few slight differences such as the minimum ham aging periods required, which range from 16 to 20 months.
It is worth mentioning that an Iberico ham without an Origin Guarantee can be as good as one with it. However, whilst the latter has passed strict tests to guarantee the breed of the pig, its weight, its origin, its feeding, a minimum ageing period, etc. –hence its higher price- with the former, you depend on the producer’s reputation and ability on delivering a quality product.
For a fine selection of Spanish Hams please visit our Spanish food online store.
posted by Euroresidentes-Delinostrum at
13:47
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home