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Ibérico Ham
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota
The Ibérico pig is native and exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula and raised freely in an unique ecosystem known as the Dehesa. These are extensive Mediterranean woodlands abundant in Cork and Holm Oaks whose fruit, the acorn ("bellota"), along with the fresh aromatic grass is the staple diet of the Ibérico pig. It's ham is also known as "Pata Negra" and is probably the most revered in the world.
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| Jamón Ibérico sliced 100g pack |
| £9.00 per pack |
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| Jamón Ibérico on the bone |
| approx 7 kilos - £275 |
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Paleta Ibérica de Bellota
Paleta is shoulder of Iberian pork, cured for a minimum of 18 months. Smaller and with more fat, this is another way to experience the delicious Ibérico flavour.
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| Paleta Ibérica Sliced 100g pack |
| £7.50 per pack |
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| Paleta Ibérica on the bone, (shoulder) |
| approx 5 kilos - £150 |
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The Ibérico pig is native and exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula and raised freely in an unique ecosystem known as the Dehesa.
These are extensive Mediterranean woodlands abundant in Cork and Holm Oaks whose fruit, the acorn “bellota”, along with the fresh aromatic grass, is the staple diet of the Ibérico pig.
Because of its genetics, its enormous size, 160-180kg (350-400 pounds), and its long, relatively free life make it a unique animal in the world only bred in Spain.
The Ibérico pig is a unique species being the last remaining free-grazing breed in Europe. It is an exceptional animal, perfectly adapted to its natural habitat, the Dehesa.
It is distinguished by long, thin, sturdy legs, pointy snout, and relatively dark hairless skin.
During its adaptive process, the Ibérico pig developed a genetic ability to store large fatty deposits that became part of its muscle mass and created the characteristic white streaks that give the ham its incomparable marbleised texture and aroma.
The Ibérico pig is bred in the wild and is fed on natural products found in the Dehesa. Such is it's quality of life that it is known as the "aristocrat" of the world's porcine species.
Initially the piglet is fed on its mother's milk, after which it feeds on grass, seeds, bulbs and grain. After about a year the pig has reached it's optimum weight to reap the maximum benefit from the resources of the Dehesa during the "montanera" or fattening period.
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The Dehesa is pure harmony, a blend of holm oak and cork trees, grasses from the pastures, aromatic plants and acorns. The Ibérico pig has always been part of this ecosystem, enjoying the Mediterranean climate, with the forests' fruits, acorns and grass supplying the basis of its ecological diet.
Large extensions of holm oak, cork and gall oak forests in the south west of the Iberian Peninsula make up the Dehesa. Each tree takes between 30 and 40 years to grow to maturity. The Dehesa currently occupies over two million hectares and constitutes an extraordinary ecosystem of which the Ibérico pig an essential component.
Acorns, fruit of both the holm oak and cork tree, are the basis of the Ibérico pig's diet, although it also feeds on the pastures, stubble and wild leguminous, making a decisive contribution to the ecological balance of it's natural habitat.
The dehesa is also an extremely important reserve for plants such as thyme or rosemary and a wide variety of muchrooms. It is an exceptional habitat that provides a natural and balanced diet to the Ibérico pig.
The different process involved in the Iberian pig production require a high level of professionalism. There is hardly any machinery used. Therefore, the "outstanding technology" used is one learned from generation to generation, from father to son. The way to know the features of the animals and its parts, the way to know how to interpret the weather conditions, along with a rigorous sanitary control.
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Ibérico ham is a completely natural food, which is rich in proteins, and contains vitamins and minerals including vitamin B1, iron, zinc and magnesium.
The quality of the fat contained in Ibérico ham is excellent, consisting primarily of unsaturated fatty acids, and in particular, oleic acid, representing over 50% of the fat content. This makes this natural and healthy product an excellent choice, which consumed in moderation, can help to maintain the correct level of cholesterol.
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