About Jamón Iberico.

Iberico ham, also called jamon iberico or jamon de pata negra is produced from the rear legs of the iberian black pig.

A similar product obtained from the front legs -shoulder-,  of the same animal is usually called paleta iberica or paletilla iberica. Paletillas can have the same quality as jamones since they come from the same animal but they are smaller and usually slightly cheaper.

There are three main types of iberico hams: Bellota or Montanera, Recebo and Cebo (from highest to lowest quality).

The qualities are determined by several factors: the breed of the animal, its diet,  how it was raised and how it was processed.

Furthermore, some areas have Special Designation of Origin, protecting both their animals and procedures.

A very detailed law regulates in Spain the different quality standards and a government body controls its compliance.

All the products offered in BuyJamon.com include the quality grade and the origin.

Bellota or Montanera.

Bellota -acorn- or Montanera is the highest quality grade for hams, Paletillas and Lomos.

All three meats must come from registered iberico pigs, a national record of families and pedigrees is maintained to guarantee the preservation and purity of the breed.

To qualify as Bellota the animal must stay at least for 60 days grazing on dehesas where they have access to acorns.

Bellota pigs must gain during this period at least 60 Kg or 101 Lb. On average animals weight about 150 Kg before being slaugthered, much less that ordinary "pink" pigs.

The hams of black pigs fed with acorns produce a unique meat with marbled fat that is rich in healthy mono triglycerides (like olive oil) that melt at room temperature.

Because of its quality, many connoisseurs have referred to jamon iberico bellota as the "Kobe Beef of hams".

Recebo grade Ibérico ham.

These are hams or Paletillas from ibérico pigs who have have enjoyed a shorter diet with acorns or added less than 50% to their weight during the Montanera. The rest of their weight is gained eating cereals and fodder.

Cebo grade Ibérico ham.

These are hams from ibérico pigs who were raised on a diet of cereals and fodder and therefore did not eat acorns.

Bonus! Pure Iberico.

When both the mother and the father of the animal are pure iberian pigs duly registered, the ham can be called Pure iberico or iberico puro in Spanish, an addendum that comes most often only with the Bellota Grade.

Meet the best Meat: jamon iberico de bellota or montanera.

Because black pigs live freely in dehesas, they are constantly moving around and therefore burn more calories than domestic pigs. This  fact, combined to their healthy diet, leads to a very unique meat.

Jamon iberico de bellota is an extremely healthy product, it has far less calories than traditional pork meat and its fat is of a much higher quality. In fact, 100g of jamon iberico de bellota bring you 43 grams of proteins (similar to beef) and over 50% of its fat is non-saturated or "heart friendly" that will help reducing cholesterol levels. Jamon iberico is a significant source of vitamins B1, B6, B12 and folic acid.

At only 300 calories per 100g (one envelope), jamon iberico is a common ingredient in slimming diets and an excellent substitute for other fattier meats.