Did you know that Jamón Ibérico is 1 of the 4 aces of global gastronomy along with caviar, foie-gras and truffles?
Or that Spain is the world’s largest consumer of ham?
It isn’t actually all that surprising, considering that Spain is home to the renowned, the delectable, and the famous – Jamón Ibérico.
This is to meet the growing international demand for Ibérico ham.
The reason why the whole world wants a taste of Spain’s iberico ham is that it is one of the most to-die-for Spanish foods. It is also one of the best hams in the word.
If you want to procure some of this world-renowned ham, we don’t blame you.
Fortunately, you can buy jamón ibérico on websites like Amazon.
You can even find it at your local Costco.
But before you start your quest, it is important that you know what is jamon iberico and how to find and identify the best ham on the market.
Otherwise, you may end up paying top dollar for inferior Spanish jamón.
What is Jamón Ibérico
Jamon Iberico is a cured ham that originates from Spain. The pig breed that it comes from is the Black Iberian pig, hence the name ‘Jamon Iberico.’
As soon as the piglets have switched from their mother’s milk to adult food, they start to get fed barley and maize to fatten-up.
After a few weeks, they roam free and eat chestnuts, herbs, grass, acorns, and roots.
When slaughter time approaches, the free-range pigs food intake is restricted ideally to acorns, olives, and chestnuts to ensure excellent tasting Jamon Iberico.
As soon as the pigs are slaughtered, the iberico jamon is salted and ready to dry for two weeks.
After two weeks, the ham is rinsed and dried again for another four to six weeks.
Finally, the curing process begins, which takes 12 months and sometimes even as long as 48 months.
Understanding Spanish Ham Grades
The first step to procuring some top-notch Spanish ham is to understand the different grades of jamón.
Ibérico ham is categorized into different levels of quality and labeled accordingly.
Here are the four labels and what they mean.
Black Label
Ham that sports a black label is the most top shelf of Iberico bellota hams. It is made from Ibérico pork that comes from 100% purebred Iberian pig which is native to the Ibérico Peninsula.
These pigs are called pata negra, or black hoof. The black hooves pig is a great way to differentiate pigs that are used to make Jamón Ibérico and Jamón Serrano.
These pata negra pigs are essentially free range and given vast stretches of land to roam on.
In fact, Spanish government regulation mandates on average only one Iberico pig allowed per hectare (2.5 acres) of land.
The pata negra pig is not fed grains or cereals and feed solely on falling acorns, or bellotas, during that last six months of their lives.
Also known as the fattening stage. An Ibérico pig must eat anywhere between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds of acorns to be truly worthy of the title jamon iberico de bellota or simply “de Bellota”.
After this period the iberico pigs are slaughtered and processed into ham. Ibérico ham that meets the black label standards is aged for at least 3 years.
During both the slaughtering and aging stages the ham is checked by D.O.Ps (Denominaciones de Origen Protegida) inspectors to ensure that it meets the highest-quality of standards.
Because of time and inputs that go into producing this high-quality Spanish ham, it is the most expensive Ibérico ham on the market.
This category of ham is called jamón Ibérico de bellota and are often labeled ‘reserva’ and ‘gran reserva’ to denote their age.
On an average year, less than 12 percent of ibérico pigs yield the precious Black Label grade given Iberico bellota hams.
Red Label
Red label ham differs from black label Ibérico in only one way. The Ibérico pork from which the ham is made is a 75% Ibérico breed instead of purebred.
Besides this difference, the other standards of quality remain the same.
The pigs are free-ranged under acorn trees, receive no cereals, and eat solely acorns during their last six months.
The curing ham is also aged for at least 3 years.
Red label ham is not as costly as black labeled ham, but it is still fairly pricey due to its high level of quality.
Green Label
Ibérico ham that has a green label is made from a breed of 50%-75% Ibérico pig. These pigs are fed some cereals, but receive acorns as well and are free-ranged.
Sometimes what can also happen is that cuts of ham which did not make the standards for black label certification are then sold under the green label.
With these cuts, the difference between them and a true black labeled ham can be very small.
This means that you can often pick up a bargain when buying Ibérico ham that has a green label.
For this reason, green label ham is a favorite among the Spanish. It is often described as being younger, with a more intense and salty flavor.
White Label
Often referred to as jamón de Cebo or “bacon ham”, Ibérico ham that has a white label is made from pigs who are 50% Ibérico.
However, they are not free-ranged and are kept in pens. These pigs are fed a diet of cereals only.
An important part of the rearing of pigs for Ibérico ham is that they need a lot of exercise.
Which is why the other higher grades of Ibérico ham are made from free-ranging pigs.
White label ham is inferior to the other grades because the pigs are often reared inside and get no exercise.
Their diet also has a large impact on the flavor and texture of the final ham.
Once you understand the labeling standards that indicate the quality of Ibérico ham, it is much easier to make an informed buying decision.
Besides using the labeling to guide you in selecting great quality ham, there are also a few other tricks and tips.
Jamón Ibérico Tips & Tricks
In order to help you have the best jamón ibérico experience possible, here are a few tips and tricks.
Go for Hand Sliced Jamón Ibérico
One of the easiest ways to ensure heightened quality is to go for hand sliced Ibérico ham over machine sliced.
Master jamón carvers, Maestros Jamoneros, know how to perfectly slice Ibérico ham so as to incorporate the ideal amount of fat into each slice.
To watch them expertly carve a Spanish ham is an art. Resulting in ham slices that have an ideal fat-to-meat ratio. Perfect for traditional Spanish sandwich of bocadillo de jamón.
Only Purchase Vacuum Sealed Ibérico Ham
Although Ibérico ham is well cured and does not easily go off when packaged, the increased humidity levels can allow bacteria to develop.
To stay on the safe side, as well as to ensure that the ham you buy is fresh and moist – only buy vacuum sealed Ibérico ham.
Analyzing the Jamón Ibérico Color
Another way to determine the quality of Ibérico ham is by analyzing the color. The color generally ranges from bright red to pink.
Bright red denotes well-cured ham that is highly aged.
Pinker tones suggest ham that is less aged – which is not always a bad thing. Depending on your taste, a milder ham might be preferable.
Pink hints, on the other hand, within the muscle fibers, are another indication of a well-aged and long cured cut.
Analyzing the Jamón Ibérico Fat
If you pay close attention to the fat in Spanish ham, this can also tell you a thing or two.
The ideal patterning for fat within the ham is a light marbling. This will imbue every bite with just enough richness.
Besides beautiful marbling, if you look even closer at the fat, you may see that when exposed to room temperature it takes on a silky sheen.
This is another sign of top quality, expertly cured ham.
Keep an Eye out for Small White Crystals
By examining the fat you may also see tiny white crystals that look like salt beading on the fat.
These small white spots indicate a long and slow curing process (which is ideal) and low salinity.
Low salinity is important for the final taste of ham because if it is too salty, this will impact the flavor.
Consider the Jamón Ibérico Cuts
Besides pre-sliced ham, there are two other forms in which you can buy Ibérico ham.
Whole Ibérico Ham Legs
Whole legs of Ibérico ham are available to buy. They are particularly popular for parties where they can serve as a centerpiece.
Whole legs also make great gifts. If you have a gourmet as a friend, a whole Ibérico ham leg would be a superb gift for them!
While whole ham legs look amazing, they do involve a little extra work. Jamón legs are usually comprised of 50% fat and 50% meat.
Much of the fat sits on the outside of the leg, and you will need to cut through it in order to reach the ham underneath. After this, you also need to expertly carve the ham.
These procedures are not for the novice.
But, if you prize your knife skills, then carving a whole jamón leg can be a great opportunity to impress guests or to celebrate a special occasion.
Whole Ibérico Ham Shoulders
Besides whole legs, you can also buy whole shoulders of Ibérico ham. Like the legs, jamón shoulders require you to carve off and finely slice the meat within.
At the same time, you must take care to incorporate the right amount of fat with the meat.
Whole shoulders can entail even more work than legs, thanks to their meat-to-fat ratio. Ibérico shoulder hams generally have a fat-to-meat ratio of 40% meat to 60% fat.
While this may sound like a loss, there is a great advantage to choosing a whole Ibérico ham shoulder.
And this is that you can use the bone as the basis for jamón stock which can then be used to make delicious soups, stews and other spanish recipes.
You can also use small amounts of the discarded fat from the outside of Ibérico hams to flavor dishes.
Sliced Ibérico Ham
If you do not feel like the effort involved in carving a whole leg or shoulder of Ibérico ham, then do not feel ashamed to simply purchased some already sliced jamón.
Pre-sliced Spanish jamón will be finely cut, and if hand sliced promises to be expertly carved.
As mentioned earlier you can easily find pre-sliced Jamon ibérico vacuum sealed by most of the manufactures of Jamon Ibérico.
Leading Jamón Ibérico Manufacturers
Below is a list of the most popular and trusted manufacturers of Jamón Ibérico in Spain. True jamon iberico icons within the spanish culture.
All have a long and rich history of proudly providing generations of Spaniards with the most premium quality Jamón Ibérico.
Where to Buy Jamón Ibérico
If you are lucky enough to be in Spain right now, then finding some top quality jamón shouldn’t be all that hard.
But, most likely you are not in Spain, which can make getting hold of the best Spanish ham a little harder.
Fortunately, we can point you in the direction of a few places where you can order true Ibérico ham.
First off, if you live in New York you may want to pop into Despaña, a specialty shop that sells Ibérico ham and other popular Spanish cuisine products.
If you are feeling fortunate you can also try Amazon, as there are some sellers who stock Spanish ham.
Or, an even better choice, you can check out our Amazon where you can buy the best Spanish jamón, as well as jamoneros (Spanish ham holders), special jamon carving knives, and other authentic Spanish foods and drinks.
How to Slice Jamón Ibérico
To truly immerse yourself into the Jamón Ibérico experience you’ll want to try your hand at slicing.
To do this properly your going to need some necessary Jamón ibérico tools;
- Jamonero (Spanish Ham Stand)
- Afilador (Knife Sharpener)
- Cuchillo de Jamón (Special Ham Carving Knife)
- Smaller knife for tighter cuts
- Hand Tongs to handle the slices
Rather then explain the detailed process, this step by step video will give you a much better idea of how slicing Jamón ibérico should be done.
Great Ibérico Ham Pairings
Before you purchase some beautiful Ibérico ham, here are some pairing tips!
Ibérico ham pairs well with both sweet and umami flavors, making it super versatile.
Whatever your pairing, just be sure to serve and eat Spanish ham at room temperature.
This will ensure that the ham literally melts in your mouth thanks to the unsaturated fats.
A classic way to eat Ibérico ham is to squeeze the juice of half a tomato over a thin slice of toast, then drizzle with Spanish olive oil, add a pinch of salt, and place the Ibérico ham on top.
If you want to go the classic breakfast route with your jamón, you can omit the tomato, and instead place a fried egg alongside some Ibérico ham with potatoes and enjoy Huevos Rotos con Jamon Iberico.
The combination of the egg yolk, crusty toast, and salty Ibérico ham makes this a time-honored favorite.
If you want to go the sweet route with your Ibérico ham, you can also pair it with fruit. Sweet melon is a traditional pairing in Spain for Ibérico Ham.
Perfect for hot summers, all you need to do is lay a slice of jamón over a slice of mellon… and enjoy.
Ibérico ham also makes for a show-stopping ingredient in Spanish tapas. You can use it in much the same way you would incorporate any ham into a tapas board.
You also create miniature versions of the above ham and tomato toast, ham and melon or with any spanish cheese to incorporate into a Spanish themed tapas board.
If you wish to incorporate jamón into an entree, it pairs amazingly with steak.
Wine Pairings for Jamon Iberico
Of course, no tapas board, or a good meal, is complete without a good wine. Ibérico ham pairs well with many wines.
Dry sherries make a superb pairing, as does manzanilla. Bolder reds can also make an excellent pairing.
If you wish to pair your jamón with a sparkling wine, this can create a refreshing effect.
Besides wine, there is another beverage that pairs exceedingly well with Ibérico ham.
And that is beer. Beer creates a refreshing backdrop to the saltiness of the ham. It is especially complimentary if paired with a spicy dish that contains Ibérico ham.
Fun fact: In Spain, the culinary word for pairing is ‘marriage’ if translated directly.
How To Store Jamón Ibérico & How Long Does It Last
Chances are you won’t be able to eat your entire Ibérico ham in one sitting.
If that’s the case, the best way to preserve the freshness of the Jamón ibérico is to cover the sliced area with plastic wrap or even better with the initial outer cuts of fat.
This will help keep the flavor and moisture of the meat.
If the ham hasn’t been enjoyed for some time, discard your first slice of the exposed area as it will be tough and dry.
No worries though, the rest of the ham will still be in perfect condition.
You should store your whole, bone-in ham in a cool, dry ventilated place like a wine cellar or a clean basement.
We wouldn’t recommend the kitchen as it could get too hot or absorb odors from other foods.
You can either leave the Jamón ibérico in the jamonero or just have it hang by a rope.
However, once started, we would recommend consuming it within 30 days.
On the other hand, sliced Jamón Ibérico needs to be refrigerated. If it’s a boneless ham it should be wrapped in butcher paper or plastic wrap for storage and it will last for a few weeks.
If it’s a vacuum sealed package, once opened it is recommended that you finish the package the same day. Unopened though, it can last for a few months.
When serving refrigerated Jamón, make sure to take it out of the fridge ahead of time. Jamón Ibérico should be served at room temperature.
One last thing, do not freeze Jamón Ibérico, it is too delicate and it will lose its aroma and flavor.
Jamón Ibérico vs Jamon Serrano
There are several differences between Jamón Ibérico (Iberian Ham) and Jamón Serrano (Mountain Ham);
- breed of pig
- diet of pig
- lifestyle
- curing (aging) of the jamon
- price
Breed of Pig
As discussed jamón ibérico is made from Cerdo Ibérico or Iberian black hoofed pigs.
While Jamón Serrano is made from Cerdo Serrano which are Mountain white hoofed pigs and can be either Duroc, Landrace, or Large White breed.
Diet of Pig
Depending on the Iberian pig’s grade (Black, Red, Green or White Label), it’s diet can be anywhere from acorn only to a cereal feed only.
While Serrano pigs are fed mainly cereals and grains.
Lifestyle
It may sound odd to reference a pig’s lifestyle, but when it comes to Spanish ham it definitely is a factor.
As far as pigs go, Iberian pigs live a stress free lifestyle until of course, that infamous day.
But until then they spend their time in the Dehesa, in southwestern Spain. A harmonious and beautiful landscape, foraging for acorns and such.
While the typical Serrano pig, lives in a more confined area. Jamón experts attribute Jamón Ibérico’s texture being such because of the animal’s ideal and relaxed living conditions.
Curing of the Jamón
Typically, the curing process for jamón ibérico can take between 14 to 36 months. While jamón serrano is cured for 7 to 16 months.
The traditional methods of curing goes through four phases;
- Salting & Washing Phase: during this phase the freshly cut hams are placed in temperature controlled rooms and covered with sea salt. After seven to ten days have passed they are rinsed in lukewarm water to remove salt crystals from their surface.
- Resting Phase: the hams are then stored in cold rooms for a month or two. During the resting phase the salt penetrates the hams thoroughly, giving them a significantly denser quality, since much water has been removed. This helps enhance the dehydration and conservation of the Jamón.
- Drying & Maturation Phase: as the phase infers it’s time to get the hams to a drying area or a “secadero”, where the hams will continue to lose moisture, and “sweat”. This is the phase where the hams achieve their final flavor and their signature aroma begins to develop.
- Bodega Phase: this is the final phase of the curing process where Ibérico and Serrano hams are hung in a curing cellar, or bodegas, anywhere from 7 months to as much as five years – typically larger hams will take a longer time to cure. The final decision goes to the Jamón specialist who draws on years of experience in determining when the hams are ready for consumption.
Jamón Prices
Because of all the factors above jamón ibérico, especially Jamón Ibérico de Bellota is pricier then Jamón Serrano.
For example, a bone-in 14-17 lbs. price of Jamón Ibérico de Bellotta can cost upwards of $1,000.
A similar sized Serrano ham will run approximately a third of that.
While there are quite a few differences, don’t sell Jamón Serrano short.
It is truly delicious in it’s own right and enjoyed by millions of Spaniards on a daily basis.
Jamón Ibérico de Bellotta is usually served during holidays and for special occasions.
Final Jamón Ibérico Thoughts
High-quality Ibérico ham can be hard to come by. But Jamón Ibérico de Bellota is certainly worth the trouble!
But now that you know how to identify premium jamón ibérico – and where to get it – there is nothing stopping you from sampling some of the best Spanish ham in existence.
If you are a lover of not only top-shelf Spanish ham – but Spanish foods in general, and ready for dessert, check out our Spanish foods articles for recipes, and articles like 13 Spanish Desserts That Transcend Your Tastebuds.
5 Key Takeaways
| Takeaway | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Jamón Ibérico origins and quality | Jamón Ibérico is a premium Spanish ham made from the native black Iberian pig. Its exceptional quality comes from the pigs’ free-range lifestyle, acorn-rich diet, and strict curing process, contributing to its unique flavor and marbling. |
| 2. Importance of diet | The diet of the Iberico pig is crucial for the quality of Jamón Ibérico. Pigs that consume a diet rich in acorns (bellota) produce the highest quality ham, known as Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. This diet enhances the flavor and texture of the ham due to the high oleic acid content found in acorns. |
| 3. Curing process | The curing process of Jamón Ibérico plays a significant role in its flavor development. The ham is salted and left to cure for several weeks, followed by a drying and aging period that can range from 18 months to over three years. Longer curing times result in a more intense and complex flavor profile. |
| 4. Different grades of Jamón Ibérico | There are three primary grades of Jamón Ibérico: Jamón Iberico de Bellota, Jamón Ibérico Cebo de Campo, and Jamón Ibérico de Cebo. The main differences among these grades lie in the pigs’ diet and rearing conditions, which directly impact the flavor, quality, and price of the final product. |
| 5. How to enjoy Jamón Ibérico | To fully appreciate the flavor of Jamón Ibérico, it should be thinly sliced and served at room temperature. Pairing it with a glass of Spanish wine, Spanish cheeses, or marcona almonds can elevate the tasting experience, making it an ideal choice for tapas and special occasions. |
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.