Special curing process gives Spanish ham health benefits

Iberian acorn ham, or just Iberian ham, is not just a food product but also a delicacy with numerous other qualities. As well as being a pleasure for the palate, it also offers great health benefits.

Iberian ham is rich in antioxidants and high in Vitamin E

Iberian bellota ham is a low-calorie ham rich in vitamins, containing 50 per cent more protein than fresh meat.

Also due to the natural and traditional curing process, Iberian acorn ham is said to be pure and aseptic, the meat being free from any kind of manipulation.

Iberian ham is rich in antioxidants and high in vitamin E. It is especially beneficial when eaten with tomatoes, as it is suggested in the traditional Spanish recipes.

It contains quality fat, with increased levels of oleic acid (over 50 per cent), as found in olive oil. This facilitates the production of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body, while reducing LDL (bad cholesterol).

Moderate consumption of the product helps to maintain cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

It is a recommended food for hypo-calorific diets; 50 grams of Iberian bellota ham contains 150 calories.

It provides a generous dosage of B group vitamins, especially B1 and B2. Just 100 grams of Iberian ham provides 24 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of this vitamin.

It is also rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium and especially phosphorus, providing 30 per cent of the recommended daily allowance.

The reason for this odd component found in Iberian ham is that the hogs are fed on a diet that is composed only of acorns.

The long and complex curing process causes chemical changes in the meat that converts the acorns or bellotas into antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The unique curing process the meat goes through causes chemical reactions that bring about the formation of essential fatty acids and antioxidants from the plants the pigs forage on.

The long and arduous process of curing gives the ham its unique texture and flavour that are characteristic of this Spanish ham.

Bellota ham is one of the most coveted hams in the world and the most prized in Spain.

It has a unique taste and texture that are sought after by many worldwide. What makes this ham so special is the kind of pigs that produce it.

It is made only from the finest species of Iberian pigs, found only in the Iberian Peninsula; they bear distinctive black hooves that only belong to this species.

The pigs are treated differently from pigs found in Europe. They are bred in special pastures dotted with oak trees and are free to roam around until it is time for them to be slaughtered.

They are truly organic products because they only feed on acorns, grasses and herbs that are found around pastures.

Spain’s Iberian ham can be compared to the caviar of Russia and Kobe beef of Japan.

For more information or to try out recipes, visit www.madeinspain.com.mt.

Nutritional content

100g Iberian bellota ham
Water: 57,5g
Protein: 28,5g
Fat: 14,5g
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fibre: 0 g
Calories: 242Kcal