Both are 100% Iberian acorn-fed hams of very high quality and both are produced in Jabugo, in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park, but did you know that both brands come from the same producer, 5 jotas being the first brand and Sánchez Romero Carvajal the second? Although they come from 100% purebred Iberian pigs, and both comply with the requirements established in the legal regulations for the production of 100% Iberian acorn-fed ham with a black label, 5 jotas goes a step further in the selection of the pieces.
5 jotas Acorn-fed iberico ham
The prized and internationally renowned 5 Jotas iberico ham produced in Jabugo, in the province of Huelva, was first marketed in 1879 by its founder Rafael Sánchez. Many years later, the founder joined forces with the Iberian pig farmer Manuel Romero and the distributor Vicente Carvajal to create the company "Sánchez Romero Carvajal". Today it is part of the Osborne Group, under the tutelage of the fourth generation of producers.
The 5 Jotas Spanish ham is carefully prepared down to the smallest detail, selecting the pieces one by one by hand. The best pieces are chosen aesthetically, those that do not show any type of "blemish" such as a slightly crooked hoof or a ham leg that is not sufficiently stylised. Obviously these aesthetic characteristics have nothing to do with the quality of the meat, but also in this aspect there is a more exhaustive selection, meticulously choosing the curing and fat and lard indexes of the piece, so that it is neither too much nor too little.
Sánchez Romero Carvajal Acorn-fed iberico ham
The quality of the SRC (Sánchez Romero Carvajal) ham is in the highest category, with 100% Iberian acorn-fed acorn-fed ham certification and its corresponding black flange.
These pieces, like all hams in the same category, must meet very strict quality requirements which are regulated by a legal regulation, Royal Decree 4/2014, which guarantees and certifies the quality of Iberian acorn-fed ham, shoulder and pork loin.
This ham, unlike the 5 jotas, is simply not so meticulously selected aesthetically and pieces with a high fat content are not pre-selected, but it is still one of the best Iberian hams you can buy; in fact, in 2021 it was awarded by the International Taste Institute with the Superior Taste Award 2021, with 3 Gold Stars qualifying it as "Exceptional Taste".
Buy 5 Jotas or Sánchez Romero Carvajal Spanish Ham?
I'm not going to lie to you, it's a difficult decision, as both are of exceptional quality.
The 5 jotas comes in a luxury padded and zipped case, but not the 5 jotas pork shoulder ham, which comes in a simpler but very pretty case with gold embroidered lettering.
I doubt very much that anyone could recognise with their eyes closed, if they were given a taste of one ham or the other, which is which.
The Cinco Jotas is more associated with a luxury Iberian ham, although both have a higher price than hams from other brands in the same category, so the choice of buying a Sánchez Romero Carvajal or 5 Jotas ham has to do above all with the personal preferences of each person.
Price of 5 Jotas and Sánchez Romero Carvajal Iberian Ham
These are really not cheap acorn-fed iberico hams, with a 6-7 kg piece costing more than 600€, and a 7-8 kg piece costing more than 700€.
On the other hand, the price of SRC ham is lower, but still above the average of other brands, reaching almost €500 for a 6-7kg piece.
In the online ham shop Jamón Pasión, which we distinguish ourselves by having contained prices, we have these two Iberian hams at a much lower price, as they are ordered on demand directly from the factory, without any intermediary that increases the price of the product. For this reason, you can buy a 5 jotas ham at the best price.
Likewise, our Sánchez Romero Carvajal acorn-fed hams are available at a very competitive price.