Finest Iberico de Bellota Pata Negra Ham by the world famous specialists Consorcio de Jabugo in the Spanish mountains: 7.5kg, 100% acorn fed and cured for 36 months: Members save more than £100

Iberico de Bellota is one of the world’s finest hams. Known as ‘Pata Negra’ (blackfoot), it comes from pigs which roam the Spanish mountains and oak forests of the Sierra de Aracena, north of Seville, eating the acorns and herbs which give the meat its sweet, nutty flavour and melt-in-the-mouth texture; it is unsurpassed.

This delicious Iberico de Bellota from specialists Consorcio de Jabugo is from the cradle of the best Iberico ham. It is air-cured for 36 months, and despite spending three weeks in Atlantic sea salt before being washed and dried, it is low in salt. It is also high in monounsaturated fat and oleic acid, which stimulates the ‘good’ cholesterol and helps reduce the ‘bad’. In addition, 100g of meat contains only 190 calories. As a result, Iberico de Bellota is described as the carnivore’s ‘holy grail’.

The famed jamon specialists Consorcio de Jabugo produce these hams from pure-bred Iberico Pata Negra pigs spend the autumn roaming the oak forests of the Sierra de Huelva in Andalucia. with strong north winds in winter and gentle summer temperatures. They fatten on the acorns lying on the forest floor, allowing the rich oleic acid from the acorns to infiltrate the meat. This gives it its distinct rich, nutty, melt in the mouth quality. And the oleic acid, which is the same as in olive oil, has its own health benefits as well. The ham leg is first salted for a few weeks, before being washed to remove excess salt. It is then hung to cure in the fresh air of the mountains. This altitude and microclimate enables natural dry-curing of the Iberico hams at the pace of the seasons.

This delicious ham makes a perfect centrepiece for a large gathering, and keeps well so even a small household will enjoy it to the full. It is a year-round gourmet dish—there is no need to refrigerate, just store in a cool, dry place—and of course it makes an exceptional gift for your favourite gourmand!

Iberico de Bellota Ham on the Bone: 7.5kg weight: cured 36 months.

RRP £575 plus delivery. CCUK £459 with free UK mainland delivery.

For more details, please read on . . .