Selecting a good Iberian ham depends largely on one’s experience and knowledge of the product and the main firms that produce it.

An Iberian ham is different from others in appearance as it is smaller than white pig hams, and longer and the trotter is almost always black (the popular expression “jamón de pata negra“ or blackfoot ham as being  synonymous with Iberian ham is not always appropriate since not all hams with black trotters are Iberian and not all Iberian hams have black trotters, although most do).

The ham usually has a V-shaped cut and different shades of ochre on the outside (lighter at the part where there is most fat and darker in the leaner part).

Some Iberian hams have a thin layer of microflora on the outside. There is no need to be alarmed as this microflora is the result of the ham’s natural curing process. However, this layer is often removed.

As additional external elements, the Iberian hams produced by the most important firms have a paper label around the trotter and in some cases an additional label informing consumers of its principal characteristics.

This label gives information on:

-          The name of the producer and the Denomination of Origin:  Jamones Merino only  distributes hams made by the most important firms in the sector, to ensure the highest quality product with every guarantee. These firms are highly appreciated and well known (e.g. Sánchez Romero Carvajal) and in some cases, regulated by a Denomination of Origin (e.g. the case of “Sabores de la Dehesa”, a name protected by the “Dehesa de Extremadura” Denomination of Origin).

-          Purity of the breed: information on whether the pig is from a pure white Iberian pig (100% Iberian pork) or if not, a crossbred Iberian pig.

-          Feeding of the pig: it is a “bellota” (acorn) (or “pure bellota”) product made from Iberian pigs fed only on acorns in the pasturelands until it reaches its ideal weight.  The ham is a “ recebo” ham if, after being fed on acorns the pig has been fattened with dry fodder and grass. The ham is a “cebo” product if the pig has not been fed on acorns during the fattening process, but only on dry fodder and grass.

Some ham brands have different labels, depending on these types of feeding.

Naturally, we at Jamones Merino offer every guarantee regarding the quality of our products.