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Jamón ibérico, new labels

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  1. Hmm, I need to read up on this more, because I'm really confused now. The free-range bellota pigs don't eat bellotas exclusively. They a such foragers. They eat grass, plants, bugs, lizards and whatever else is out there in the "monte."

    And what about the "recebo" pigs who graze and eat bellotas in the dehesas, but then get fattened up at the end with grain--especially necessary during years when the bellotas are scarcer. These hams are often of very good quality, and so much cheaper than the "bellota" ham. It seems there would be less incentive to produce these hams now.

    2 Replies
    1. re: butterfly

      According to what I've read, the recebo designation has been eliminated. I guess those pigs will now be considered cebo de campo.

      I think the thing about the bellota pigs is that they are fed only acorns by the farmers and whatever they forage on their own is their business.

      1. re: SnackHappy

        Oh, I think that's a shame. If you go to small-town Extremadura--those almost-bellota hams are such an excellent deal, especially from smaller producers. Some years there just aren't enough bellotas to go around. Though this year wasn't one of them--the trees were absolutely bursting with acorns this fall.