Is it better to buy Bellota Ham than Cebo de Campo Ham?

Is it better to buy Bellota Ham than Cebo de Campo Ham?

Our goal with these posts is to help you resolve all your doubts before buying Iberian Ham. That is why, in today's post from Olalla Jamones we are going to resolve one of the most common questions: Is it better to buy Bellota Ham than Cebo de Campo Ham?

A priori, buying Bellota Iberian Ham is better than buying Cebo de Campo Iberian Ham. There is a widespread belief that the more expensive, the better. However, there is a lot of misinformation regarding this issue.

The best answer is that, like everything in life, it depends. Of course, we are going to find out what it depends on.

What is Acorn-fed Iberian Ham

The first thing we are going to do is define what Acorn-fed Iberian Ham is.

As you know, and if not, we will tell you, since 2014 we have had a new quality standard for Iberian Ham. Thanks to this standard, the hams and their qualities are very controlled.

According to the parameters of this new standard, we call Acorn-fed Iberian Ham that which comes from pigs with a minimum of 50% Iberian breed. In addition, these pigs must have been raised in freedom and fed exclusively on acorns and grass. But be careful, the last two months of their life are enough.

Despite this, at Olalla Jamones we maintain the traditions of our ancestors; so that the Iberian pigs live in total freedom in our pastures in Huelva and Extremadura.

What is Grass-fed Iberian Ham

The next question, therefore, what is Grass-fed Iberian Ham.

We base ourselves on the same standard to define it as that which comes from pigs with a minimum of 50% Iberian breed. Again, they are pigs raised in freedom, but fed on feed. Hence the Cebo de Campo Ham; since Iberian Cebo Ham, simply put, comes from pigs raised in captivity.

At Olalla Jamones we only work with Cebo de Campo Ham, we do not have Cebo Ham.

What are the differences between Bellota Ham and Cebo de Campo Ham?

So... What are the differences between Bellota Ham and Cebo de Campo Ham? Mainly, three.

The first of them is the breed of the animal. Cebo de Campo Ham is usually 50% iberian breed, since its cost is lower. Not feeding on acorns also affects the quality of the meat.

In the case of Bellota Iberian Ham, the breed of the pig is at least 50% Iberian. This translates into pieces of 100% Iberian Acorn-fed Ham, although you can also buy 75% Iberian Acorn-fed Ham and 50% Iberian Acorn-fed Ham. Never below this percentage.

Another aspect to take into account is the method of breeding. In both cases, the pigs have been raised in the pastures in total freedom.

For Olalla Jamones, free-range breeding is essential, since it directly influences the development of the animal and, therefore, the condition of the meat.

The difference also lies in the diet. We have mentioned it before, since our pigs are raised in freedom, they have the opportunity to feed on products from the countryside. We add acorns in the case of Acorn-fed Ham and cereals such as corn, wheat and barley in the Cebo de Campo Ham.

All this increases the quality of the meat and provides it with unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid, which is very present in other super foods such as olive oil.

What else should you consider when deciding which Iberian Ham to buy?

What else should you consider when deciding which Iberian Ham to buy? Curing time, appearance, organoleptic characteristics and labelling.

The curing time for Acorn-fed Ham is longer than for Cebo de Campo Ham.

Its appearance also varies. 100% Iberian Acorn-fed Ham is longer and more stylised, as well as having darker meat. This meat becomes pinker as the percentage of iberian fat decreases. For its part, the acorn fat is softer, almost transparent.

As for the organoleptic characteristics, Acorn-fed Iberian Ham is more intense, both in smell and flavour. This is due to both its diet and the curing processes, which are longer.

And the labelling? Black (100% iberian) or red (75% or 50% iberian breed), in the case of Bellota Ham; green in Cebo de Campo Ham.

You already know everything about: Is it better to buy Bellota Ham than Cebo de Campo Ham? But, to summarise, we can say that Bellota Ham is superior in quality to Cebo de Campo Ham, just as it is superior in price. In any case, both are good hams. Decide on one or the other depending on the budget you have or how special the occasion is for which you need it.