Barcelona: Jamón Ibérico

Legs of Ibérico

Jamón Ibérico, the famous cured ham from Spain is a must-eat while in Barcelona. We had a cured ham bar right around the corner from our apartment, so we feasted on delicious ham sandwiches and patatas bravas for breakfast.

Jamón Ibérico is a special cured ham made from the black Ibérico pigs (that’s why the meat is also called “pata negra”). There are different grades, but by far the best is the jamón ibérico de bellota; “bellota” is the Spanish word for “acorn”. The special connotation comes from the fact that this grade of jamón ibérico is from free-range pigs that roam oak forests along the border between Spain and Portugal, and eat only acorns during this last period. The exercise and diet have a significant impact on the flavor of the meat – if you watch the video below, our specialist calls them “athletic” pigs!