Iberico ham has a deep, rich nutty flavour and comes from the legendary Iberian breed of black pigs known as pata negra pigs. The animals have at least a hectare of wooded pastures called dehesas and are fed on a diet of grass and the best acorns from holm and cork oak trees. This provides the hams distinctive aroma and exquisite taste.
Arturo Sánchez’s Iberian ‘cebo de campo’ free-range pigs reach 14 months of age instead of the industry average of 10 months. These extra months allow further properties and characteristics to develop differently such as its aroma, flavour and appearance. In addition, all cebo hams are cured for a minimum of 30 months. As the seasons change from the cold of winter through spring and summer, 40% of the fat melts away, coating the ham in flavour. As the second year passes, the ham undergoes complex changes that produce incredible layers of flavour. The result is a tender and delicious ham, deep red in colour with a very mild saltiness.