Israel Romero / Tuesday, July 19, 2022 / Categories: Blog Spanish ibéricos at Made in Spain Gourmet — only 100% Iberian breed. We could say it is the crown jewel of our gourmet products — what we are most recognized for internationally. And yet, we only select the finest products from the finest pigs. Spanish ibéricos, a gift from the dehesa. A gift for the Iberian Peninsula Their fat is very healthy Benefits of Iberian products A gift for the Iberian Peninsula Cured meats and hams from 100% Iberian-breed pigs are like Chanel handbags — unique products that no copy can take away their true value. A pig is what it eats, and its meat obviously is too. When it is in the montanera — the fattening/grazing period out in the fields (what is called the Dehesa) — it has a bonus that other pigs are not fortunate enough to enjoy: a little gift fallen from the sky that nature provides them, a treasure of our countryside: the acorn. These fall from the cork oaks and holm oaks and are left at the mercy of these magnificent animals so they can taste and enjoy them. During this season, pigs can travel an average of 14 km per day roaming the dehesa. The huge difference in the taste of meat fed with acorns versus without is staggering (especially when you’ve tried both types — there’s virtually no margin of error in telling them apart). Moreover, the marbling in the ham or loin is its hallmark of identity and quality. We must be clear that a 100% Iberian ham is not always the most marbled. You need to know what the marbling of a 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham looks like. [caption id="attachment_20765" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Spanish ibéricos at Made in Spain Gourmet — only 100% Iberian breed[/caption] Their fat is very healthy Although sometimes it can be harder to tell by sight, since marbling can also be found in pigs crossed with Duroc, both types have fat infiltrations in their muscles. A different matter is the aroma and flavor of each product. So we should not rely solely on the visual aspect. This is one of the characteristics that help differentiate an Iberian ham from a Duroc. It is one of the aspects that makes the Iberian so attractive to lovers of this delicacy. The consumption of this fruit endows the ham with extraordinary organoleptic qualities — comparable only to extra virgin olive oil. Thus, we can affirm that the marbling in the Iberian is made up of fine white strips of fat interspersed with the lean meat of the pig’s leg. They are fat infiltrations generated between the muscle fibers. The fat infiltrations that give rise to the marbling characteristic of the Iberian are a sign that marks a noticeably different flavor. “Acorn-fed Iberian ham is one of the most coveted products of Spanish gastronomy. Of unique origin and sublime flavor.” These infiltrations in 100% Iberian pigs are finer. Their origin lies in the daily exercise they get. These animals are raised free-range as they forage for their food. Fat infiltrates their meat more easily, producing finer streaks. Diet is an even more distinctive and valuable sign of the quality of this fat. I wasn’t born in Jabugo, but my parents are from a nearby town, Calañas, where fattening Iberian pigs has been a generational tradition. I grew up with Iberian products and my love for them runs deep, especially because their production is so exciting — you know a well-synchronized, balanced team is needed for the final product to be excellent: it’s the sum of pig, feed, climate, drying and curing. Those are the ingredients for sublime ibéricos, and of course there are also the human hands, which must be artisan and passionate about what they do to create an Iberian jewel. I love 100% Iberian ham, but Iberian loins, chorizos and salchichones are also exceptional. They are also highly recommended for health and well-being because of their composition. A true reference of the Mediterranean diet. The acorn and the natural pastures of the dehesa provide us with elevated levels of fatty acids that are beneficial for our bodies. Benefits of Iberian products Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides Rich in antioxidant substances (reduces cardiovascular disease) Source of protein Source of minerals: iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and selenium. Great source of vitamins: B1, B2, B6 and B12 We triumph in Europe with the ibéricos, as long as we only offer The Best, and always with all the certificates that support them. Hearing from Italy, for example, that their prosciutto is good but is light-years away from our ham, and that they get emotional every time they enjoy it, tells you a lot about its real value. ¡Let's work hard together to develop our Spanish gourmet lobby! We have plenty of people committed to the land and great products in Spain; now we need more unity with a long-term vision and management based on Human Values: sharing knowledge and development. That will make us unbeatable. Now let’s enjoy a plate of ibéricos with a good Sherry from Jerez, or a Premium cava. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoN9vkHs0TM[/embed] Storytelling: without a story, there’s no differentiation. A Paella Experience by Made in Spain Gourmet: made only with ingredients from Spain Print 3 Rate this article: No rating Tags: premiumMade in Spain GourmetacornCavaSpain Please login or register to post comments.