Israel Romero / Friday, June 16, 2023 / Categories: Blog Black Label — nothing beats it. Black Label The jewel in the crown of our gourmet products. The Spanish Iberian ham. Undoubtedly, a marvel of gastronomy that already enjoys worldwide recognition. But do you know how to detect the very best ham? We’ll explain it to you. Breed and feeding of the Iberian pig Could you recognize a good 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham? Notable characteristics of 100% acorn-fed Iberian Ham Our selection of 100% Iberian Black Label Hams Breed and feeding of the Iberian pig The quality of the finest Iberian ham rests on two fundamental pillars: the 100% Iberian breed and its exclusive acorn-based diet during the montanera rearing period. At Made in Spain Gourmet we defend the purity of the Iberian breed as a commitment to preserving a unique livestock production in the world and as a guarantee of quality for the best Iberian products. 100% Iberian pigs that enjoy more than 3 hectares of land per animal. A natural diet based on acorns and the natural resources the pig finds in the dehesa (oak pasture) is responsible for the excellent aroma and flavor of the finest acorn-fed Iberian products. This is how our pigs are raised and, consequently, how our hams are produced. 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham is one of the best gourmet products made exclusively in Spain. Its flavor quality is widely recognized both inside and outside our borders. It is also one of the best-selling products in our online store. [caption id="attachment_25981" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Black label, nothing better[/caption] Could you recognize a good 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham? 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham is a gourmet product with a unique personality. When identifying a good Iberian ham you should pay attention to the following aspects: Hoof color: Generally, 100% Iberian pigs have black hooves, which is why the expression “pata negra” (black hoof) is so widespread. Black seal (precinto): This tag is numbered and identifies that the ham (or shoulder) comes from a 100% acorn-fed Iberian pig. Morphology of the Iberian ham: The piece should be slim and muscular, a sign of the pig’s activity in the dehesa; with a fine leg and a narrow shank at the end. The covering fat is yellowish in color and has a soft texture, which should give slightly under pressure. Weight can range between 6 and 9 kg for hams and between 4 and 4.5 kg for shoulders (paletas). Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.): Certification by a D.O.P. is an unmistakable quality guarantee, carrying out external and exhaustive controls on the products it protects. In Spain there are four: Dehesa de Extremadura, Jabugo, Guijuelo and Pedroches. Band and traceability: The ham’s band should contain all the complete product information, the quality specification and the name of the independent control body, if it is covered by the Iberian Quality Standard. Information such as the estate of origin, time spent in montanera by the pure Iberian pig, amount of acorns eaten, curing time, etc. [caption id="attachment_25982" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Black label, nothing better[/caption] Notable characteristics of 100% acorn-fed Iberian Ham Once sliced, 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham displays the qualities of the finest gourmet product in terms of appearance, flavor and aroma. The cut: When sliced it shows an intense, bright red color, with good fat infiltration forming almost translucent white streaks in the slices. Flavor and aroma: 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham has a warm, deep aroma with notes of nuts. Its taste is intense and rounded; the fat melts in the mouth and fills the palate with the pure flavors of the Spanish dehesas. A gourmet product that delights the most demanding palates. Enjoy it in all formats: whole leg for those who know how to carve it, boneless for slicing with a machine at home, or pre-sliced to open, let it rest briefly, and then savor it. We have selected brands that guarantee their products are of the highest quality and that we are very proud to recommend. Because the Black Label is the epitome of our Spanish gourmet products. And at Made in Spain Gourmet, as always, we only offer you the best. [caption id="attachment_25983" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Black label, nothing better[/caption] Our selection of 100% Iberian Black Label Hams 100% Iberian ham, black label, sliced, D.O.P. Dehesa de Extremadura, Señorío de Montanera 100% Iberian Acorn-Fed Ham Leg, Majada Pedroche 100% Iberian Acorn-Fed Ham Maldonado How do we differentiate the Spanish gourmet product? USA: Difficult? Without connections and without a roadmap, it's a utopia. Print 5 Rate this article: No rating Please login or register to post comments.