IBERIAN HAMS
PDO - Protected Denomination of Origin
A Quick Guide to Iberian Hams
Black Label: highest quality, bellota, pata negra, 100%
Red Label: bellota, 50%/75%
Green Label: 50% (normally), free range
White Label: Iberian, 50% (normally)
Learn more about why Iberian hams are one of the World's great delicacies and in such demand in 'The Toma Guide to Iberian Hams'.
Joselito Pata Negra Iberian Ham Gran Reserva
Joselito Jamón Ibérico Pata Negra Gran Reserva
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece widely acclaimed as the Best Ham in the World.” Joselito Pata Negra Iberian Ham Gran Reserva represents the ultimate expression of pata negra iberian ham, a true gastronomic jewel crafted with unparalleled dedication and expertise.
Cured for a minimum of 36 months.
100% Natural!
Protected Designation of Origin – GUIJUELO
Price range: €28.99 through €133.49
Joselito Pata Negra Iberian Ham Gran Reserva
Within the categories of each label of Iberian ham, with all black labels being of the very highest quality, there are a couple brands that act as reference points for any Spanish person with even the remotest knowledge of Iberian hams. Joselito is very definitely one of them.
To be served any product from these producers is a special treat and usually reserved for special occasions only.
This Joselito Pata Negra Iberian Ham Gran Reserva is no exception.
This exceptional ham comes exclusively from Joselito’s own select herd of 100% Ibérico pigs – the only breed that can be truly called pata negra. These pigs roam freely in Joselito’s private dehesas (oak forests) during the montanera season, feasting exclusively on acorns (bellota) and natural grasses. This natural diet is crucial, infusing the meat with heart-healthy oleic acids and imparting the incredibly complex, nutty, and sweet flavour profile that defines this legendary pata negra iberian ham.
Each Joselito Gran Reserva ham undergoes an exceptionally long and entirely natural curing process, often exceeding 36 months, in Joselito’s centenary cellars. This patient maturation allows the ham to develop its characteristic deep ruby red colour, delicate marbling of fat, and an intense, persistent aroma that promises an extraordinary tasting experience.
Slicing into a Joselito Gran Reserva is a ritual in itself, a moment of anticipation that culminates in a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Each paper-thin slice, best served at room temperature, reveals the intricate marbling that glistens like mother-of-pearl. It’s no wonder that Joselito is coveted by the world’s most discerning chefs and connoisseurs, often hailed simply as the “best ham in the world.” It is more than just food; it is a gastronomic treasure, the centerpiece that transforms any gathering into a memorable celebration.
Upon tasting, the experience transcends expectations. The initial wave of flavour is subtly sweet with profound nutty undertones – a direct legacy of the acorn-rich diet. This is followed by complex, almost floral notes that linger on the palate. The magic, however, lies in its texture. The infiltrated fat has an exceptionally low melting point, causing it to dissolve instantly in the mouth for a velvety, mouth-watering finish that is simply unparalleled. For a perfect pairing, enjoy it with a glass of crisp Fino sherry, a sparkling Cava, or simply with a piece of rustic bread to appreciate its sublime character.
Producer Notes
Thin leg ham. Fat between golden and pinkish with a soft and unctuous consistency. Meat with a variation of shades from intense red to pale pink, with numerous infiltrations of shiny veined fat that melts on the palate. Its flavour is soft and delicate, slightly sweet, surprising the unctuousness of its fat melting on the palate in a sublime way.
Joselito has a 150 year, 6 generation tradition in the production of premium quality Iberian Hams.
Iberian pork, salt. sugar. acidity corrector (E-331iii). Preservatives (E-25 and E-252). antioxidant (E-31).
Gluten Free.
| Nutritional Information – per 100 grams | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1476Kj | 355 Kcal |
| Fats | 26.3g |
| of which are saturated | 8.1g |
| of which are monosaturated | 15.5g |
| of which are polyunsaturated | 2.7g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| of which are sugars | 0g |
| Fibre | 0g |
| Proteins | 29.6g |
| Salt | 3.7g |
Keep refrigerated.
Typical shelf-life of 3 months in original packaging.
Always check package instructions when it arrives for specific information.
Vacuum packed.
Fecha de consumo preferente means best before date, and Fecha de caducidad means expiry date. Date formats on Spanish products are the same as in Ireland, i.e. dd/mm/yyyy.
All cured meats are best served at room temperature. It is recommended to remove from vacuum packing 24 hours before serving and save at room temperature to ensure full enjoyment of this exceptional ham.
Produced by:
Joselito Guijuelo S.L.,
C/ Santa Rita 8,
37770 Guijuelo,
Salamanca,
Spain
| Weight | N/A |
|---|
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Price range: €19.80 through €129.00
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GUIDE TO IBERIAN HAMS
First and foremost, don't confuse Iberian hams with Serrano hams. They are quite different. You will find an explanation of Serrano hams on any page with that product.
The Iberian Pig
All Iberian hams come from the Iberian pig. Other cuts are also produced such as the tenderloin, or lomo in Spanish, and varieties of sausage, salchichón, a selection of which are available in our store.
This breed of pig is considered special because it has a unique ability to absorb and store fat within its muscle tissue. This is what creates that beautiful 'marbling' in the meat and is one of the main reasons why Iberian ham is so melt in your mouth delicious, and is in such demand around the world.
A 100% Iberian-bred pig has black hooves from which the term pata negra comes from. Pigs that are less than 100% Iberian-bred can also have black hooves but they are not referred to as pata negra in the context of Iberian ham.
The Labelling System
To understand the different categories of hams, a labelling system was introduced by the Spanish government in early 2014. This new system is aimed at clearing up some terminology that varied widely and caused confusion for natives and foreigners alike. Terms like cebo, cebo de campo, bellota, 100%, 50% etc. are now all covered by this labelling system, so although we use some of that terminology in our store, the most important information you need to know is the labelling system.
All Iberian ham legs and shoulders sold in Spain and abroad now have a label on them and it will have one of the colours, black, red, green or white. If it does not have this label then it is not certified as an Iberian ham and cannot be named that way. This label is kind of like a birth certificate for the ham that also covers it's history until it reaches the consumer.
Unfortunately, the system only covers full legs and shoulders and is not displayed on packaging once the ham has been sliced in any way. Not to worry though, we have done all that work for you in this store. In the images that go with each product you will see one of these labels. You will also see it in the "tags" section with each product.
So what does each colour label represent?
The short answer to that is that black is the highest quality, then red, green and white. You shouldn't feel you are getting the short straw if you end up with something that is not black. They are all Iberian hams of high quality and are delicious.
"All pigs are delicious, but some are more delicious than others"!
Regulatory colour labelling system for Iberian Hams
The 'montanera' is the final and most crucial phase in the raising of Iberian pigs. It refers to the period during which these pigs roam freely in the dehesa (Mediterranean oak forest pastures) and primarily feed on acorns (bellotas) that fall from the holm oak, cork oak, and gall oak trees. It takes place from October to March each year, when there is an abundance of acorns falling freely for feeding.
Is that all there is to it then?
Err...not quite, but you can read on if interested because we still need to talk about curing periods and methods, regions, and a few other bits and bobs, including the difference in a shoulder and leg ham, and the price.
The Curing Period and Process
All steps in the delivery of this premium gourmet product are important and the curing and drying stages are no different. Some hams are left to cure for over 4 years and need exactly the right environment along with regular attention. It is the time when the real magic happens and it requires skills and facilities that only a few possess, which perhaps explains why the product is so expensive.
It should be noted that each producer has different variations of the same processes so this is just a general guide, but they will comply with the Protected Designation of Origin regulations required for their certification if they possess that.
Iberian hams during the salting process
Salting
The hams are covered in sea salt and left for between 7 and 10 days, depending on the size of the ham but usually 1 day per kilogram. The purpose here is to dehydrate the ham and initiate the preservation process. The excess sea salt is then washed off with warm water.
Then the hams are left to rest in refrigerated chambers for between 30 and 90 days to allow for even moisture removal. The humidity is gradually reduced to prepare for the next stage, drying and maturing.
This stage involves the hams being left to hang in natural drying rooms for 6 to 9 months at quite varying temperatures between night and day and season to season, including up to 30ºC. The ventilation is always controlled. The fat absorbs into the muscle fibres, enhancing the flavour and aroma.
After that it's off to the cellars for the full curing to begin.
This can take anywhere between 12 and 48 months - that's 4 years curing on top of the raising of the pig, and the steps above.
Is there another food product in he world that takes that long and that much care and attention to produce?
Black label hams are cured for between 36 and 48 months, with red label being slightly less, green label between 24 and 36 months and white label between 12 and 24 months.
Basically, the longer they are cured the deeper and more intense the flavour becomes.
Iberian hams drying before the long curing period
Shoulder or Leg Ham and why the price difference?
First of all, the Spanish never refer to a 'leg of ham' in their language. A ham, or jamón, is all that is used and it automatically refers to the hind leg. Therefore, when you only see the term jamón in an Iberian ham, you will know the hind leg is the product. The shoulder (or front leg) will be specifically stated as that, paleta.
The paleta is significantly cheaper than the jamón and the reason for that is that mainly twofold:
If buying a full shoulder, it is much smaller than a hind leg and there is less ham on it in weight and as a percentage. So even though it is from the same Iberian pig, fed on the same diet etc., it is more expensive.
The curing time is also a factor. Shoulder hams are much thinner and therefore require much shorter curing times. A black label jamón requires a minimum of 36 months curing but the shoulder only requires 24 months. So that is an extra production cost that is reflect in the price.
Is the difference in price worth it?
We can't answer that for you unfortunately. It's a matter of taste and pocket!
Many Spanish talk about the paleta as their favourite part but that may be because they are more used to it. You are certainly not getting a cheap, or low quality cut with the paleta, or shoulder ham.
There is a difference in texture though. The jamón has a more even distribution of the fat in it than the paleta, and it has a less nuanced taste.
You should be able to see the differences in the fat distribution in the two different cuts in the image. It's not so much that there is more fat in the shoulder cut, but more about how it is infiltrated in the ham.
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