The dehesa is a unique ecosystem in the world that occurs in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is a Mediterranean forest modified by man, which otherwise would not be used. Its main use is for raising the Iberian pig, which gives us those wonderful Bellota Ibérico hams. In the Jamón Pasión Blog, today I tell you everything related to the pastures, where 100% Iberian purebred pigs do the montanera and roam freely feeding on the acorns that the holm oaks and cork oaks offer them.
The most important "Dehesas" in Spain.
In Spain, according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, the total area classified as pasture occupies around 5 million hectares, distributed in 130 municipalities in Extremadura, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid
The word dehesa comes from the Latin "defense", and refers to a limited area or defense for its use of pastures.
The origins go back to the reconquest. Local ranchers began fencing off their properties to protect them from transhumance cattle.
They are huge extensions, of thousands of hectares where the cattle graze freely collecting the fruits of the trees, in this case the acorn, which is the main feed of the purebred Iberian pigs where 100% Iberian pata negra hams are obtained.
It is also home to wild fauna, with more than 20 species of mammals and 60 species of birds, some of them endangered species such as the lynx, or the imperial eagle.
The Iberian Pig of Montanera.
The Iberian pig, especially the purebred, is an animal wonderfully adapted to this ecosystem called dehesa, taking advantage of the resources of the environment: acorn, grass and water from the streams. These specimens do not need the intervention of man for their survival.
Every day he travels long distances walking through high places in search of shelter and food, developing without any difficulty in these places.
Although the pigs destined for the production of acorn-fed hams are mostly those that are fed in the pastures in the montanera season that goes from October to February, they also do it from those that are obtained from cebo de campo iberico hams, feeding on the natural resources of the field.
Buy Acorn-fed Iberico Hams.
In the Jamón Pasión Online Store, you have at your disposal the best pata negra hams, which are sent to you directly from the factory, where they are best preserved.
Pigs raised in the pastures from which acorn-fed hams are made can have two names, 100% Iberian acorn-fed hams, or 50% Iberian pork shoulders, which are identified with the flange (plastic label that surrounds the hoof) red.
The shoulders are also obtained from the front legs, smaller pieces and a higher proportion of fat, with a stronger flavor but with fewer nuances.
If you want to buy the best 100% Iberian bellota pork shoulders, we are waiting for you in the store to advise you and answer any questions.