You already know that Iberian ham does not need to be kept refrigerated and that the ideal temperature for consumption is around 20º C. But what happens in summer, when this temperature is far exceeded? Don't worry, it won't go bad if you follow the guidelines below, you just need to be more careful.
Iberco ham and heat
To be honest, excess temperature is not the Spanish ham's best ally, which is why it is always recommended, even in winter, to keep it away from sources of heat that may be present in the house and where it does not get direct sunlight that may enter through the window.
You don't need to have a cellar or basement. In the kitchen, simply keeping the Iberian ham in a cool place is enough.
What happens with high temperatures is that the meat, especially if it is from an iberico de bellota iberian ham, will sweat and release its fat, which means that it will dehydrate much more quickly and harden more quickly.
Tips for preserving Spanish ham in summer
What I recommend is to eat it more quickly than usual. Ideally, every day you should cut a little ham from the leg or, when buying iberico ham, a smaller piece.
What also happens when you lose the fat due to the heat is that you are going to lose flavour potency. Remember that what gives the Iberico ham its powerful flavour, aromas and juicy texture is its infiltrated fat; by losing it, we will also lose these characteristics.
But don't be alarmed. Always place it away from the window, in the shade and cover it with a cotton cloth so that it can breathe. I don't recommend food film in summer, as it will make it sweat more.
If you follow our Spanish ham blog, you already know that at home, where a ham will last a few weeks, it is best to start with the narrowest part, that is, with the hoof downwards, which is the driest part.
As you remove the bacon fat from the sides, use it to cover the cut of the piece so that it does not oxidise and can stay hydrated and juicy.
Alternatives to whole Iberico ham
A very viable option at this time of year, if you are not like us who eat Iberian ham all the time, is to buy sliced or boneless Iberian ham. As it comes vacuum-packed in both options, you can put it in the fridge without any problems, in fact it is recommended to do so, unless it is winter.
Just remember to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before eating it so that it warms up and expresses all its marvellous attributes.
Where to buy Jamon Iberico in summer
In our Spanish ham online store, we send you the hams directly from the producers, where the hams rest in natural rooms in high altitude geographical areas where the temperature and humidity is ideal.
So enjoy a good Iberian ham even if you are on holiday at the beach. Just be a little more careful.