Hams
Iberian Ham
Buying Iberian ham is one of the greatest gastronomic pleasures that we can enjoy at our table. This product is very particular, few meats offer so many benefits to our health and also have such a particular and intense flavor.
Buying acorn-fed or cebo Iberico ham depends on the diet of the pig and the breed, it is important to know the characteristics of each product before buying ham, at Your Spanish Shop we are going to analyze the main characteristics of Iberico hams, so that you can choose the most appropriate.
Buy Iberian ham online
At Your Spanish Shop we offer you a wide variety of Iberian hams. If you want to buy an exceptional quality acorn-fed Iberian ham, in our online store you have a wide selection of acorn-fed hams, from the main designations of origin in Spain.
You can also buy Iberian bait ham, both in whole pieces and sliced. At Your Spanish Shop we take care of guaranteeing the shipment, so that the product reaches its destination preserving all the qualities of a ham of exceptional quality.
Characteristics of Iberian ham
If you want to buy Iberian ham online, the first thing you should know is the conditions of the product. Not all the hams made in Spain are Iberian, only areas such as Huelva, Los Pedroches, Guijuelo or the Dehesa de Extremadura have the Iberian label, in addition, there are products that come from animals fed on acorns (the highest quality), and others that come from bait.
Iberian ham is obtained from the hind legs of the pig, the front legs are called shoulders and do not have the denomination of origin of Iberian hams. As for the qualities that we perceive in hams with an Iberian denomination, it is worth focusing on the flavour, color and aromas of this product.
Taste
The flavor of the ham is very delicate, if we compare it with other meats and slightly salty. It is the amino acids and the nucleotides that allow the ham to mature in the cellar, and it is precisely these compounds that generate the characteristic flavor of the ham.
Smell
The aroma is fundamental when we analyze an Iberian ham. The smell of ham is the first thing we perceive and it is characterized by an intense smell, which in the best products evokes the sweet smells of fruit, acorns and the intensity of meat.
Color
The color of the ham must be uniform throughout the entire piece. Reds predominate due to the action of myoglobin, crossed by the characteristic white streaks generated by the fat of the piece.
What should you know about the seal when buying ham?
In the case of ham, the seal is more than a label with nutritional information. There is a sealing code that allows us to know what type of food the pig has had and its breed.
Black label: 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham.
Red label: Iberian acorn-fed ham with mixture, 75% - 50% Iberian breed.
Green label: Iberian cebo ham from the field with at least 50% of the Iberian breed.
White label: Iberian cebo ham not raised in the field.
The Iberian breed is what marks the excellence of a ham, although it can be crossed with other varieties, such as the Duroc, to give rise to mixed Iberian hams.
Why buy ham in Your Spanish Shop?
The best hams in the world are Spanish and you can buy them on our website. Iberico hams are of guaranteed quality, each piece has been cured based on processes that allow preserving the conditions of the meat, with breeds fed with top quality products.
At Your Spanish Shop we carry out international shipments based on current legislation, with all the conservation guarantees that a product such as Iberian ham requires.
If you want to buy Iberian ham of exceptional quality, at Your Spanish Shop you will find the best hams, both whole and sliced.
Frequent questions
Shipping conditions for Spanish hams
Both the European Union and other non-EU countries establish a series of health standards, referring to the shipment of food products. In the case of ham, it is vitally important that the product is protected during shipment, at Your Spanish Shop we follow the recommendations established by public bodies for both national and international shipments.
What types of ham are there in Spain?
There are many different classifications for ham made in Spain, but the most common is the one that distinguishes Iberian hams from other hams. The main criterion is the breed of the pig, in addition, we can add other qualities such as food or curing time.
What is the best Spanish ham?
The best ham in Spain is the Iberico de bellota. If you want to buy an acorn-fed Iberian ham, at Your Spanish Shop we offer you the best selection of acorn-fed Iberian hams with designation of origin.
Is it better to buy whole or sliced ham?
The cut of the ham is essential to preserve its properties. Both sliced and in the original piece, we can enjoy its aromas and flavor, but it is very important that in either case the cut is straight, offering a thin slice.
Is it bad to eat a lot of ham?
Like any food, an excess in its usual consumption can cause imbalances in our diet, however the consumption of ham is beneficial for our body, because it contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and monounsaturated fats that the body needs, unlike of polyunsaturated fats found in other foods.
