Everyone when seeing a hanging ham, an envelope of sliced or diced ham, the first thing that comes to mind is: SERRANO HAM; Even Iberian ham, generically, we call it Serrano ham. Later, once we have entered the matter, we want to know where it is from, if it is Iberian, if it has eaten acorns or is bait, etc. And the truth is that why are we going to complicate our lives?
But if you love Serrano ham and want to know the reason for the names and labels of non-Iberico hams (You can see them here), that is, those from white pigs, this is your place for at least 5 minutes.
Different names for Serrano Ham.
Serrano hams are usually classified into 3 categories according to the curing time:
- Bodega Ham: Cured for a minimum of 9 months.
- Reserva Ham: Cured for a minimum of 12 months.
- Gran Reserva Ham: Cured for a minimum of 15 months.
At Jamón Pasión, the online Spanish ham shop, we only sell Reserva and Gran Reserva Serrano hams and we exceed the established minimum curing times.
We actually have 4 certifications for hams obtained from white-coated pigs: a Protected Denomination of Origin for Teruel Hams, two Protected Geographical Indications (IGP) for Trevélez Hams and Serón Hams and a broader one to refer to hams. properly called Serranos; the latter is the Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (ETG)
E.T.G Serrano Ham (Traditional Specialty Guaranteed ).
Legally, only ETG certified hams can be labeled with the words "Serrano Ham". This legend refers to some requirements that guarantee, at European level, the traditional production method, but not to a particular area as designated by the D.O.P (Protected Designation of Origin).
These hams may be produced from pigs reared outside the processing area. They must meet certain requirements, such as the weight of the raw pieces, minimum curing time, thickness of the fat layer, salinity, colouring and appearance of the cut, flavour and aroma and texture.
A good selection of these Serrano Spanish hams produced in the province of Granada, which are made without additives, can be seen here.
IGP Serón and Trevélez Hams.
These acronyms refer to the Protected Geographical Indication, and on that occasion, they do guarantee the geographical origin of the production, but again not the origin of the pig, as these may be raised in other geographical areas. In fact, it is how these producers usually do. They buy the pieces in blood from a third party, and they carry out the entire traditional production process in their geographical area, which in these cases are Trevélez, in the Alpujarra Granada, and Serón, in the Alpujarra Almeria.
Trevélez is 1,476 meters above sea level at the foot of Mulhacén (Sierra Nevada) and the Protected Geographical Indication covers the following municipalities: Trevélez, Juviles, Busquistar, Pórtugos, La Tahá, Bubión, Capileira and Bérchules.
They market three types of hams according to their refining, aging or curing time and you can buy them online at Jamón Pasión.
Trevélez Blue label ham, aged for a minimum of 17 months.
Red label Trevélez ham, aged for a minimum of 20 months.
Black label Trevélez ham, aged for a minimum of 24 months.
It goes without saying that all IGP Jamón de Trevélez hams are 100% natural, without additives or artificial preservatives, just ham, salt and air-curing from Sierra Nevada.
Serón, an Almeria town located in the Sierra de los Filabres, has a ham tradition that dates back to the 16th century, but the PGI certification is recently created and they are still in the labeling and production phase of the respective vitolas.
The certified Serón IGP Ham must be a cured ham obtained from the legs of the pig (castrated males and females) from any of the following breeds or crosses between them: Duroc, Large White, Landrace, Belgian White, Pietrain and Chato Murciano. Likewise, its elaboration must be carried out through a natural drying and maturing process, "in a rounded shape, preserving the leg, with or without rind, being in the latter case eliminated by a V-shaped cut", according to the requirements. of the IGP
In addition, it must have a “red color and bright appearance when cut, with fat partially infiltrated in the muscle mass, little salty and with a medium to intense aroma. Fat with an unctuous, shiny consistency, yellowish-white color, sweet taste and intense aroma ”.
Spanish Ham DOP Teruel.
The Teruel Ham is the only Ham obtained from white-coated pigs with Protected Designation of Origin. The big difference with the previous certifications is that, if the previous ones only referred to and guaranteed the production area, the DOP also guarantees the origin and breeding of the pigs, which at all times must be within the geographical scope that includes the Regulatory Council.
So, the Teruel Hams, the entire process, from the breeding, the slaughterhouse and until the final drying, are made in Teruel. Even the feed they eat must be made in Teruel.
The hams that are marketed must have a minimum weight of 7 kilos; be cured at a minimum altitude of 800 meters and have a minimum healing period of 60 weeks. They come from exclusively Duroc pigs from the sire line, ensuring a good fat infiltrate and smoothness in the ham; and from Landrace and White Large pigs or crossing of both by maternal line.
The most representative symbol to recognize an authentic Teruel PDO Ham is the 8-pointed star that is branded with fire, together with the band with the legend of the DOP
In Jamón Pasión you can buy one of the best DOP Teruel Hams, recognized worldwide, made at more than 1400m. altitude and with a maturation of more than 24 months naturally in an open window. I'm talking to you, nothing more and nothing less than the Ham of Teruel Pinalbar.
All white hams that do not fall within these certifications must be called "Cured Ham"
REMEMBER: not the most expensive are the best. Not the Iberico Hams better than the Serranos; there are simply personal taste preferences. I hope this little article has cleared you of doubts. In the end it has been more than five minutes of reading; But this is what happens when you put passion into what you do, that time goes by without realizing it.
I'll wait for you at the store. Treat yourself and let yourself be seduced by the authentic and natural.
