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Spain is famed for its delectable cured meats, and the jamón, or ham, varieties are notably revered. As such, I all the time attempt to embody jamón in some type on my Barcelona meals excursions. Not solely is it a must-try meals in Barcelona, however it’s additionally an extremely various one, seamlessly pairing with a wide selection of substances.
In relation to attempting jamón in Barcelona, it may be troublesome to know when to start, as there are quite a few cuts and variations. Nonetheless, after studying this sensible information, you’ll know all about shopping for, tasting, storing, and serving this delectable ham like a neighborhood.
Sorts and High quality of Jamón
Jamón is available in a spread of types, so it’s greatest to familiarize your self with the primary varieties to make sure you make time to pattern all of them!
Components like the particular breed of pig, their weight loss program, and the curing course of will all decide the style and texture of the meat, as seen in essentially the most well-known sorts of jamón.
The realm the jamón comes from can also be price contemplating. As an example, there are solely 4 Denominations of Origin (D.O.) for jamón Ibérico, together with D.O. Guijuelo and D.O. Huelva, which means solely ham from these areas could have the meat’s distinct taste and consistency.
- Jamón Serrano: Regardless of being probably the most inexpensive jamóns in Barcelona, serrano ham, also called jamón del país, is filled with delicate salty flavors and boasts a agency texture. It’s created from the hind legs of white pigs and is usually aged for upwards of six months.
- Jamón Ibérico de Bellota: Juicy, nutty, and well-marbled, this ham is essentially the most sought-after, costly sort of jamón Ibérico and is made by curing the meat from the hind legs of acorn-fed Iberian pigs. Most often, it’s aged for greater than 36 months.
- Jamón Ibérico de Cebo: Just like jamón Ibérico de Bellotta, this model comes from Iberian pigs primarily consumed cereals or legumes and is aged for round 24 months, leading to a milder savory taste.
Easy methods to Purchase and Retailer Jamón
I’ve realized so much about shopping for and storing jamón in Barcelona through the years, and so I’ve added all of my prime ideas under!
Shopping for:
- Keep on with specialised ham outlets, known as jamónerías, delis, or butchers, to safe the best high quality jamóns.
- Think about the length of the curing course of. Though the kind of jamón often goes hand-in-hand with the curing time, it’s not all the time the case. For instance, ‘bodega‘ refers to round 12-month curing intervals, ‘reserva‘ is aged for about 14 months, and ‘gran reserva‘ is given to jamóns cured for 18 months or longer.
- If you wish to buy the related instruments, look out for jamón knives, known as ‘cuchillos,’ and stands, often called ‘jamóneros.’
Storing:
- When storing a leg of jamón, preserve it in a cool, dry place, away from warmth and daylight.
- Must you choose to purchase your jamón pre-sliced, it’s greatest to refrigerate your entire packet, even when it’s been vacuum sealed.
- If unopened, jamón can final for as much as 9 months. As soon as it’s been unsealed, the meat will final for roughly six to eight weeks.
Jamón Manufacturers and Producers
With so many jamón producers available on the market, deciding which manufacturers to strive might be considerably overwhelming. Personally, I prefer to combine well-known producers with small-scale suppliers, as each carry one thing completely different to the desk.
Famend manufacturers like Joselito, Arturo Sánche, and Cinco Jotas are nice choices to start out with, particularly for those who’re attempting jamón in Barcelona for the primary time. When you’ve gotten a little bit extra aware of the varied types and flavors, try lesser-known, artisanal manufacturers like 7 Bellotas or Señorío de Montanera.
Combining jamón with Different Catalan Flavors
Although I might fortunately eat jamón by itself, it’s even higher when mixed with different Catalan favorites. In my expertise, one of the best ways to study appropriate pairings is to join a jamón tasting session or workshop.
Reserva Ibèrica Pernil Ibèrica is a ham store that gives precisely that, and I might have spent hours right here sampling the dizzying vary of jamóns. A few of the different spots that I feel are positively price trying out for related experiences embody La Encina Selección Ibéricos and Enrique Tomás.
Jamón in Native Delicacies and Tradition
Jamón is deeply ingrained in Barcelona’s tradition and has made its manner right into a slew of dishes for its distinctive taste profiles. The kind of jamón typically determines which meals it should crew effectively with, however some traditional dishes to look out for embody:
- Jamón and cheese croquetas
- Damaged eggs, or huevos rotos
- Pan con tomate with jamón serrano
- Flamenquín
- Artichokes with jamón
The place to Purchase Jamón in Barcelona
With so many locations to buy jamón in Barcelona, you possible gained’t need to look far to safe some high quality varieties.
Vibrant marketplaces like Mercat de la Boqueria and Mercat de Sant Antoni are house to some improbable jamón distributors. Nonetheless, if in case you have a little bit extra time to go to extra genuine ham outlets, I counsel stopping by connoisseur spots like Jamónarium in Gràcia or El Cot in Eixample.
Last Ideas: Savoring jamón in Barcelona
There’s no scarcity of excellent locations to take pleasure in jamón in Barcelona, whether or not you’re hoping to relax in a bar or restaurant or fill up in a neighborhood deli or ham store. It doesn’t matter what your preferences, you’re positive to discover a jamón that tickles your fancy.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals information: What & the place to eat in Barcelona. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/
Reserva Ibérica. (n.d.). Reserva Ibérica Rambla Barcelona. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://rambla.reservaiberica.com/en/
La Encina Selección. (n.d.). La Encina Selección (@laencinaseleccion) [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/laencinaseleccion/
Enrique Tomás. (n.d.). Enrique Tomás – On-line ham retailer. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://enriquetomas.com/en-eu
Mercat de la Boqueria. (n.d.). Mercat de la Boqueria. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.boqueria.barcelona/house
Mercat de Sant Antoni. (n.d.). Mercat de Sant Antoni – Barcelona. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.mercatdesantantoni.com/
jamónarium. (n.d.). Purchase jamón Ibérico on-line – jamónarium. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.jamónarium.com/en/?utm_source=mybusiness&utm_medium=jamónarium&utm_campaign=linkweb
El Cot Connoisseur. (n.d.). El Cot Connoisseur – Connoisseur merchandise on-line. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.elcotgourmet.com/
