This Denomination of Origin was born as protection within the field of intellectual property based on the indication of origin and applied to a food product. In this case, we are going to talk about Iberian ham, pork shoulder and pork loin.
Producers who are covered by this Protected Designation must meet a series of quite demanding requirements that guarantee the high quality of the product and that distinguishes them from similar food products that are produced in other regions.
In our online store jamonpasion.com, we offer you the 4 Denominations so that you can taste them all and choose the one you like the most.
Iberico Hams from Huelva.
The areas for raising Iberian pigs to obtain Jabugo Hams protected by the Designation of Origin, is determined by the Meadows of holm oaks, cork oaks and gall oaks geographically located in the provinces of Huelva, Seville, Córdoba, Cádiz, Málaga , Badajoz and Cáceres. But the production area is limited to the province of Huelva, specifically the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, declared by UNESCO "Natural Reserve of the Biosphere" and comprising only 31 municipalities.
An Jamon Iberico from Huelva can be recognized at first glance by its profile. Its outer shape must be stylized and elongated. The fat of the ham is consistent, shiny and unctuous, yellowish-white in color.
These hams are the best known internationally and the most prestigious.
Iberico Hams from Salamanca.
Guijuelo spanish Hams are governed by the same quality standards as the rest of Protected Denominations of Origin, but their breeding area is in the Dehesas of the regions of Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura and Andalusia. And the production area is located in a set of 78 municipal districts located in the southeast of Salamanca in the heart of Salamanca, at the confluence of the Béjar and Francia mountains.
The PDO Guijuelo ham is slightly salty and with a certain sweetness, with a pink flesh and a fat with golden tones. The intense flavor and aroma it presents is the result of a long and painstaking curing process.
Iberian hams from Córdoba.
Denomination of Origin "Jamones de Los Pedroches". The Dehesa de los Pedroches was declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 2002, becoming one of the largest protected areas on the planet. It is the most important holm oak forest in Europe and constitutes one of the main agricultural and livestock regions in the entire south of the continent. And that is where the pigs are raised and the precious hams are made. 32 are the municipalities adhered to this D.O.P. The Protected Denomination of Origin Los Pedroches is the youngest of the four that protect Iberian pork hams.
These pork feet are known to be the least fibrous and have a shiny fat that goes well with the pink color and juiciness of their meat.
Extremadura Iberico Ham legs.
And finally, the PDO "Dehesa de Extremadura" Hams.
The area for raising pigs and producing the product is made up of pastures made of holm oaks and / or cork oaks, present in all the municipalities of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. The Regulatory Council includes 45 municipalities in the province of Cáceres and 40 municipalities in Badajoz in the regions of Gredos, Ibor-Villuercas, Sierra de Montánche and Sierra de San Pedro.
These hams are known for their low level of salt and for having a very pink and juicy meat, with an aroma and flavor that differentiates them from others. Undoubtedly one of the best products and with numerous wineries awarded the best Iberian ham in its different categories.
Labels of Iberian hams.
Regardless of the color of the flange that designates the percentage of Iberico and the type of feeding that the pig has carried out, each appellation of origin has its own logo.
Only hams obtained from pigs with a minimum racial purity of 75% Iberian and those of 100% can adhere to the PDO, which may be Acorn-fed iberico Hams, or those from Cebo de Campo hams.
Cheap Iberico Hams.
This category of hams is the least economical, both because it comes from 75% - 100% Iberian pigs raised in freedom and fed on wild pastures and acorns, and because of the increase in the expense that the producer must assume when adhering to the PDO. Not only because of the quality requirements, but because of all the paperwork that it entails and that is not free.
Even so and with everything, at Jamón Pasión you can buy cheaper Pata Negra hams, since we work directly with the producer, without intermediaries.