Bellota ham

Characteristic of Bellota ham:

Bellota ham is a highly prized Spanish gastronomic product, also known as Bellota Iberian ham. This ham is made from Iberian breed pigs, raised freely in the cork and holm oak pastures that cover the western regions of Spain, including Andalusia, Extremadura and the Sierra from Aracena.

The particularity of this ham lies in the fact that the pigs feed exclusively on acorns, called "bellotas" in Spanish, during the montanera period, that is, between October and February. This natural and healthy diet gives Bellota ham a unique, subtle and delicate flavor, as well as a tender and juicy texture.

The process of making Bellota ham is an art in itself. After being slaughtered, the pigs undergo a period of salting and resting, during which they lose some of their water and their taste begins to develop. Then the hams are hung in natural dryers for a period of 24 to 36 months, during which they undergo a slow and progressive maturation, which allows all their organoleptic qualities to develop.

The end result is a ham with an incomparable taste, with notes of hazelnut, dried fruit and wood. The texture is melt in the mouth, with a low fat content, which makes it particularly tasty and easy to digest.

Bellota ham is a premium product, often considered one of the best hams in the world. It is also very healthy, thanks to its natural and balanced diet, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

If you want to taste an authentic Bellota ham, it is important to choose a quality product, with a protected designation of origin like that of Pedroches, which guarantees the origin and quality of the product. You can enjoy it in thin slices, accompanied by a glass of Spanish red wine to fully enjoy all its taste qualities.