Comments on: Jamon Heaven

By: Victor

Victor — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:41:08 +0000

When seeing your video, holding the “jamón” with your hands, I’ve remembered about a funny fact:

The “jamón”, at least the high class like this one, it’s not supposed to be hold with the hands, since the fats/substances/whatever which are on your skin will change it’s flavor. I heard it in a radio program, in an interview to a “jamón” expert.

Anyway I didn’t pay to much attention to it, i love to eat it using the hands!

By: John

John — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:01:59 +0000

The “ibérico” literally melts in your mouth it is so tender! My first experience with “jamón” was 40+ years ago, and I thought it was so gross (uncooked ham, ugh!). It wasn’t very good quality, and I have since learned the gradations. One fact I didn’t know: the “ibérico” has “good” fat. Supposedly, the bellotas that make the meat of these pigs are high in omega 3 fatty acids, the “good stuff”, similar to the effect produced by eating beef that is raised only on grass. So, here’s to the good stuff! Keep eating it without guilt!!

By: Richardksa

Richardksa — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:46:10 +0000

I have only recently discovered that the bellotas eaten by the pigs are not the acorns of the normal oak, or “roble” in Spanish, but of the Holm Oak, which is “Encina”. I didn’t know there were two type of oak. You learn something every day!!

By: Edith

Edith — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:23:58 +0000

@ Lola,

A vegetarian is not necessarily a vegan – unlike vegans, many vegetarians do consume dairy products and eggs.

I’m a part-time vegetarian myself, which means I eat vegetarian dinners about 3 times a week. But I also love el jamón ibérico! Talking about free-range pigs…

By: Lola

Lola — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:16:00 +0000

To Christian: if you can speak Spanish, here´s two good pages for your interest in the difference between “jamón ibérico” and “jamón serrano”

http://www.lopezortega.es/files/sabias_clasificacion.php

http://www.ibergour.com/es/jamon/preguntas_frecuentes_jamon.html

To sum up, we´d say that these types differs in the “race” of the pork, the food they receive, where they are and the time of “curación”. Obviously, the best and most exquisite is the “jamón ibérico de bellota”. You´ll have to pay a lot, but it´s worth!

Also, be careful with this! Not all legs with black nails are top quality. The best information you can get, and 100% trustful, comes in the label of the leg.

By: Lola

Lola — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:05:31 +0000

Yes, David, it must be very difficult being a vegan in Spain. There´s good food everywhere. If you happen to eat top quality meat ( “cerdo ibérico”, cow, lamb…) you would think about vegetarianism again, haha.

Anyway, the “jabón ibérico” smell ( not horrible, my friend ) and flavour can´t be appreciated by anyone….fortunately. “No está hecha la miel para la boca del asno”, that´s what they say.

By: Christian Menniss

Christian Menniss — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:26:35 +0000

Out of interest what is the difference between Jamon Iberico and Jamon Serrano?

By: ValenciaSon

ValenciaSon — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:02:18 +0000

My mom likes Maja. My wife finds it too strong, scent-wise. Didn’t even see it last time in Spain. What I did see and found amusing was all these Nivea anti-aging skin products for men.

By: Margot

Margot — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:52:18 +0000

sorry Ben to go off topic….
@ David Allen. : ….”It can be very difficult being a vegetarian in Spain”

– Just in case you missed it….Marina did a terrific (“advanced” level ) podcast with 2 girlfriends on this subject.

By: David Allen

David Allen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:15:31 +0000

I tell you what – It can be very difficult being a vegetarian in Spain. I have found a number of good vegetarian restaurants in Girona now because in a veggie restaurant you get choice of food as well as top quality nosh.

In the ordinary restaurant the chefs haven’t got a clue, although I did find an Indian yesterday that had a choice.
As for the legs of meat they hang in the shops etc – I find it totally disgusting. The smell is horrible too…