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types of iberian ham labels
24 Aug

types of iberian ham labels

Black, red, green and white, these are the 4 types of ham labels and they are used depending on the purity of the breed, the diet, etc... We will tell you!

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Iberian ham labels

Buying Iberian ham is starting the process for tasting the best cured ham in Spain. Their care and quality are known throughout the world.

Every buyer must choose between brands and labels the product that they will enjoy with delight. We tell you all about the Iberian ham labels and we invite you to learn about this Spanish gastronomic tradition. Visit our blog for other news and to review our catalog https://www.yourspanishshop.es/es/comprar-jamon-iberico-espanol/f-112

Iberian ham

Iberian ham has its origin in the Roman Empire. At that time the meat began to be prepared to preserve it and consume it during the rest of the year.

The elaboration and production technique has been perfected in Spain, becoming a proud export product for Spanish gastronomy.

When buying it, it is necessary to have a guide that guarantees its origin and care. That's why labels and colors were created. They give very valuable information to the buyer and guarantee the product.

Black, red, green and white, these are the 4 types of Iberian ham labels and they are used according to their breed purity. They also give information about feeding the pig

What information does the Iberian ham label contain?

The seal is a plastic flange attached to the cane. In it you can read if it is a ham under the standard the logo of the Interprofessional Association of the Iberian Pig (ASICI)

The label or vitola is located at the height of the hock bone, a little below the stem. It must be well attached to the cane of the ham or shoulder. They are usually plastic or cardboard. They must contain the same seal information. It must include the name of the certifying company, the ham brand, the ingredients and the health registration number.

The norm that regulates the labeling and denomination of sale of Iberian ham entered into force in January 2014. Labels are a way of guaranteeing the consumer the purchase of a product with certain characteristics.

The factors taken into account are breed, management and feeding. The seal and tag are placed around the hooves at the slaughterhouse. They are inviolable and certified by the Interprofessional Association of the Iberian Pig (ASICI), by the 4 PDOs for Iberian ham from Spain and the fifth PDO is from Teruel for white pigs.

All the labels of packaged products must have the food information for the consumer. According to Regulation (EU) number 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food information provided to the consumer.

The data you must have are the name of the product, ingredients, allergens (if any), net amount, expiration date or best before date, conservation and use, company, country of origin, batch, health registration and nutritional information.

Iberian ham specifically must have, according to RD 4/2014 regulations, the name of the product (ham), food and handling (acorn, field feed or feed) and the racial percentage. In this case it is 100% Iberian or 50 or 75% Iberian breed.

The label or the presentation of the name of the product must be made in the whole pieces, the boneless and sliced.

To avoid possible confusion in the consumer, the colors of each product category were created: black, red, green and white.

The 4 types of Iberian ham labels. What do they mean?

The regulations require that the words "Dehesa" and "Montanera" be used only for the labeling of acorn products. Not to be used on bait or field bait.

The regulations also estimate the number of pigs per hectare of pasture based on the area with trees. A range of 0.25 to 1.25 pigs per hectare is required.

Black for 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham. Identifies and guarantees that the father and mother of the pig are 100% Iberian. Registered in the Genealogical Book. This animal in its fattening stage feeds on acorns and other natural products. His life has been spent in a meadow. They graze in pastures in the mountains a little close to Madrid. It remains free. All these characteristics of their life generate in their meat the characteristic flavor they have.

Red for Iberian acorn-fed ham. It comes from 75% or %0% Iberian breed specimens, fed in their fattening stage with acorns and other natural products. His life was fulfilled in a pasture.

Green for Iberian field-fed ham. It comes from pigs of 100%, 75% or 50% of the Iberian breed but fed with natural pastures and field feed.

White for Iberian cebo ham. It comes from pigs of 100%, 75% or 50% of the Iberian breed fed on feed, cereals and legumes on farms.

Iberian pigs their breed and feeding.

Depending on their diet, they can be acorn, field bait and bait:

Bellota: Iberian pigs are raised in pastures. These lands have oaks, cork oaks, oaks, herbs and aromatic plants. This food is 100% natural. They are kept in the field for two months before processing. The pigs eat 10 kilos of acorns a day.

Bait in the field: It is reared outdoors with cereal and legume feed.

Bait: Raised in ships or feedlots with cereal and legume feed.

It is important to mention the classification by race to understand its percentage and it was established by Royal Decree 1469/2007:

100% Iberian mother + 100% Iberian father, a 100% Iberian pig is obtained.
100% Iberian mother + 50% Iberian father, a 75% Iberian pig is obtained.
100% Iberian mother + Duroc father, a 50% Iberian pig is obtained.

Buy Iberian Ham

If you are looking for a piece of Iberian ham and want to receive it at home, we offer you a wide variety of brands. In our online store you will find the best selection of Iberian ham at the best price.

Visit our store and check out our post about hams to find out about them https://www.yourspanishshop.es/es/news-of-the-date/differences-between-el-jamon-iberico-y-el-jamon/n-147 There you will find interesting information about Iberian ham!



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