100% Acorn-Fed Iberian Ham: A Culinary Journey to Spain's Finest Delicacy

Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota

If you’re one of the many millions who visit Spain every year, you’ve no doubt enjoyed the wonderful (and generous!) local custom of serving delicious tapas with drinks.  We all have our favourites but we’re willing to bet those delicious thin slices of ham would come top of any popularity chart. While there may be several varieties of excellent ham available, there can be no doubt that the very best is Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota, or 100% acorn fed Iberian ham. It is, without doubt one of Spain's most exceptional delicacies.
There’s a reason this mouth-watering ham is one of the most expensive cured hams in the world, prized, as it is, for its incredible richness, tenderness, and unique flavour.  It’s made from the meat of 100% purebred Iberico pigs, which are allowed to range freely and, when autumn comes around, they gorge themselves on that season’s acorns, allowing them to lay down succulent layers of fat and imbuing their meat with a unique flavour – you can read more about how these pigs are raised here in our blog about La Montanera

The History of Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota

Spain’s love affair with Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota goes back a long way.  In fact, it dates back to the pre-Roman era when the Iberico pigs are believed to have been brought to the peninsula by the Phoenicians, who were renowned for their culinary skills. Over the centuries, the Iberico pig became a staple of the Spanish countryside, and its meat was highly prized for its rich flavour and tenderness.
In the early 20th century, Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota became a symbol of Spanish gastronomy. Served at important events, its consumption was seen as a sign of wealth and prestige. Today, Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota is still a highly prized delicacy and is considered a must-try for any food lover interested in Spanish food.

Regions of Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota

Like many of the world’s greatest foods, Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota is limited to specific regions, in this case, Extremadura, Andalusia, and Castilla y Leon. These regions have the ideal climate and soil conditions that allow the Iberico pigs to graze on the acorns (bellotas) from the holm oak and cork oak trees. It’s this acorn diet which gives the ham its distinctive flavour and richness, and it's the critical factor that sets Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota apart from other cured hams.

Dishes that use Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota

Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different dishes. Here are just a few of the most popular:

1. Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota Platter - A delicious way to enjoy the ham is to serve it on a platter with some bread, olive oil, and a glass of wine.  This simple presentation allows each element to shine, with the Jamon being the undoubted star of the show.

2. Croquetas de Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota - These small fried balls made with a creamy béchamel sauce and chopped Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota are a Spanish classic.

3. Huevos Rotos con Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota - A dish made with fried eggs served over a bed of crispy potato chips and topped with sliced Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota.

4. Salmorejo con Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota - A refreshing cold soup made with tomatoes, bread, garlic, and olive oil, served with diced Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota on top.

Types of Jamon 100% Iberico de Bellota that we sell:

100% Iberian Acorn-fed Ham Leg on the bone
Acorn-fed 100% Iberico Ham Leg
Sliced Cinco Jotas Acorn-fed 100% Iberico Shoulder Ham
Sliced Cinco Jotas Acorn-fed 100% Iberico Ham
Sliced Acorn-fed 100% Iberico Ham