For many people it is not easy to decide when buying an Iberian ham. Will it be worth what it costs? Is it what it claims to be? How to be sure?
Well, in this post we want to help you differentiate between the different types of Iberian ham according to the description and labels.
We start from the official regulations that regulate it, the Quality Standard for Iberian meat, ham and shoulder and loin (Royal Decree 4/2914, of January 10), because this way it will be possible to offer you better information and more reliable.
The rest of the hams that do not conform to the Iberian ham standard are known as white layer ham or white ham. It is a different product that comes from pigs raised in an intensive regime and fed with cereal feed, in Spain they are usually Duroc, Landrace, Large White and Pietrain pigs.
Let's start!
How to recognize Iberian ham?
Iberian ham is a product that is very much ours, the king of Iberian gastronomy and comes from meat from the Iberian pig, a breed of pig native to the Iberian Peninsula.
It is characterized by its unique flavor, texture and aroma, which are due to the pig's diet, which consists mainly of acorns, but also other fruits, herbs and natural products. Iberian ham offers an intense, smooth and delicate flavor at the same time.
To know which Iberian ham you are buying, you must pay close attention to the color of the seals and the description .
Iberian ham is classified using FOUR-COLOR SEALS according to the official quality standard, which regulates its presentation with labeling and description -which informs of its diet, breeding and racial percentage-, the main characteristics to differentiate them:
BLACK Label : it is 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham . Preferred by gourmet restaurants, which seek to offer their most exquisite clients the authentic flavor of Iberian haute cuisine.
The Iberian hams that conform to this standard offer a difference in their tasting, the Iberian acorn-fed ham is the most appreciated and is characterized by its intense flavor and its great aroma.
For the elaboration of this product, the pig, born from a 100% Iberian mother and father, is raised in freedom in the pasture and fed on acorns during the montanera season, fruits and natural herbs.
Torreón 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham receives unparalleled treatment and is cured for 4 years in our cellars under the most ideal temperature and ventilation conditions.
RED Label : This Iberian product is obtained from pigs in which one of its parents is 100% Iberian.
They are pigs raised in freedom in the pasture and fed on acorns during the montanera season, fruits and natural herbs.
In Torreón, you will find the red label on the 50% Iberico Bellota Ham .
An ideal ham to enjoy at home or to find the perfect gift; of exceptional flavor thanks to its natural curing process for 3 and a half years in our cellars.
GREEN Label : It is the Iberian Cebo de Campo Ham . From pigs crossed with a 100% Iberian parent, which is raised in freedom in the open field and feeds on natural resources, cereals and high-quality feed.
The cebo de campo Iberian ham, with more than 2 years of natural curing in the dryer, is characterized by having a less intense flavor and a milder aroma.
Finally, you can find WHITE Label ham, the Iberian Cebo Ham, from pigs fed with high-quality natural cereal feed and raised outdoors in enclosed spaces or in feedlots.
In Ibéricos Torreón we also have another exclusive product to offer you, it is JAMÓN TORREÓN . We are talking about TOP range pieces that are carefully selected every year by the hands of our ham artisans. A high quality ham, with a peculiar aroma and flavor. This LIMITED EDITION of Torreón Ham matures naturally for more than 2 years in the cellar of our facilities and only the most seasoned, the first to order it each season, have the opportunity to taste it.
And a detail that we cannot overlook in Torreón Ham is that it has been awarded as first finalist in the 2018 SPANISH FOOD AWARDS in the BEST ACORN-FED IBÉRICO HAM category .
How about? We hope that it has become clear to you and that this explanation will help you to get to know this magnificent Iberian product in order to enjoy it to the fullest.
But if not, you can also tell us your questions in the web chat
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