High-Priced Spanish Hogs Raised On Acorns

High-Priced Spanish Hogs Raised On Acorns HOG EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Black-hoofed Iberico hogs make some of the highest priced ham in the world The rare breed found only in Spain and Portugal is pasture-raised and finished on acorns from oak trees A medium to small-sized pig with dark hair and almost black hooves the Iberico hog is known for its intramuscular fat which makes the meat juicy and flavorful Finishing on acorns with natural unsaturated fats turns the ham creamy with a nutty flavor Long curing reportedly takes it to another level The ham is available in 4 grades The highest grade cured ham Jamon Iberico de Bellota sells in specialty food stores in the U S for as much as $72 95 for 3 oz of paper thin slices hand cut by a master meat carver Whole hams can range from $750 to $1 200 for a 14 to 15-lb ham That price may seem less out of line when you consider the work involved not only in pasture production but also in a centuries-old curing process that can last 4 years or more One company describes their process as having 5 stages: salting washing settling drying and ripening aging and tasting During the curing process the hams lose almost half their weight The traditional process allows natural outside air into the curing room giving ham from different areas a local flavor Over the years the variation in warm and cool weather breaks down muscle fibers tissue and fat releasing monounsaturated fats high in oleic acid Iberico ham has been shown to contain about 55 percent oleic acid The only natural fat higher in heart healthy oleic acid is olive oil Although the Iberico is one of the oldest breeds and can be seen in pre-Neolithic cave paintings it is extremely rare today and not found in North America The Ossabaw hog from Ossabaw Island Ga are sometimes thought to be descended from Iberian hogs However DNA sampling has revealed that the Ossabaw are related to Asian pigs not European If you search the internet you’ll find a wide variety of sources for the hogs including Iberian Pork Products a Spanish producer To try them out check out La Tienda a specialty food store in Virginia Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Iberian Pork Products C/ Ciudad Real 83; 28600 Navalcarnero Madrid Spain ph 34 91 8132779; www iberianporkproducts com ; or La Tienda 1325 Jamestown Rd Williamsburg Va 23185 ph 757 253-1925; catalog request ph 888 331-4362; www tienda com

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