100% Iberian Acorn-Fed Ham | Enrique Tomás ©

Immerse yourself in the authentic art of ham with "Pata Negra". This Spanish gastronomic treasure is globally recognized as the pinnacle of flavor and quality. But, do you think you know all its secrets? Get ready to delve into the fascinating world of Pata Negra ham and discover its exquisite nuances, which make it the emblem of our rich culinary tradition. A unique experience for true enthusiasts of fine cuisine!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS "PATA NEGRA" HAM?

"Pata negra" is the name given to premium Iberian acorn-fed ham, which comes from 100% Iberian mother and father pigs. It is the type of ham that undergoes the "montanera" period and is fed with acorns and other wild fruits. Its ability to infiltrate fat into the muscle and the diet it receives during its upbringing make the meat of this ham truly exquisite. At Enrique Tomás, you can identify it by its black label, band, and ribbon, where its 5 stars stand out.

WHY BUY PATA NEGRA HAM AT ENRIQUE TOMÁS?

At Enrique Tomás, we know that ham is a true pleasure, and that's why we convey that passion through a star product of our country's gastronomy, Pata Negra ham. Buying this ham at Enrique Tomás ensures quality and safety. Our expert ham cutters travel throughout the entire Iberian Peninsula to select hams that meet our quality standards and our business objective: to make our customers enjoy the experience of eating ham.

IS PATA NEGRA HAM THE BEST?

Although there is a belief that Pata Negra ham is the best, we believe that the best ham is the one you personally enjoy the most, the one that delights your palate when you taste it, regardless of its price or variety. What's important is that, whatever it may be, you purchase the highest quality within its category, and that's what we focus on at Enrique Tomas. We select the best hams from each type so that, regardless of the type you choose, you can enjoy it to the fullest.

IS IT BETTER TO BUY PATA NEGRA HAM WITH BONE OR SLICED?

Answering this question with another: Do you have expertise in carving? If you've never carved Spanish ham before or you feel unsure, it's best to order it already sliced because not only will you avoid any accidents, but you'll also get more ham compared to carving it yourself since our experts make the most of it.

On the other hand, the significant advantage of ordering it sliced is that you can consume it as needed over several months, whereas if you purchase it whole (with the bone), it's recommended to consume it within about three weeks, and for a shoulder ham, within two weeks.

IS BUYING PREMIUM IBERIAN ACORN-FED HAM THE SAME AS PATA NEGRA?

"Pata negra" ham is the popularly known name given to premium Iberian acorn-fed ham, so yes, it's the same. The mistake usually occurs when we believe that "pata negra" refers to any acorn-fed ham, but that's not true. "Pata negra" can only be called for 100% Iberian hams.

HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY A "PATA NEGRA"?

Visually, we can identify a "pata negra" by the shape of its hoof, which is slightly longer than that of other hams. Another very distinctive characteristic of "pata negra" is its extremely shiny skin. Although it is popularly believed that the hoof is darker than that of the rest, this is not always the case, so it is not a 100% guarantee.

At Enrique Tomás, we identify this type of ham with a black band and label, which also contains 5 stars, our highest rating.

THE FAMOUS "PATA NEGRA" HAM IS JAMÓN DE BELLOTA IBÉRICO PREMIUM

The first thing you should know is that the term "pata negra" exclusively refers to jamón de bellota ibérico premium. There is a lot of confusion surrounding this term, as many people, even Spaniards, believe that "pata negra" applies to any acorn-fed ham, but that is not the case. The authentic "pata negra" ham comes from 100% Iberian pigs with both parents being Iberian.

WHERE TO BUY "PATA NEGRA" HAM?

No matter where you are in the world, buying "pata negra" ham is easy for you. If you have ever traveled to Spain and tried this delicacy that is characteristic of our gastronomy, you definitely want to have it again. And if you haven't tried it yet, don't waste any time; enjoy a unique product like authentic "pata negra" ham in your own home. Through our online store, it's simple; you can buy it, either as a whole piece or sliced, and we will send it to you wherever you want, quickly, safely, and with full guarantee.

At Enrique Tomás, we consider this type of ham the crown jewel, the most precious product in our range of Iberian hams. We will explain the reasons why you should buy "pata negra" ham.

WHY BUY "PATA NEGRA" HAM?

"Pata negra" ham is the jamón de bellota ibérico premium, as its name implies. It comes from the Iberian pig, a native and unique breed in the Iberian Peninsula. In this case, it comes from 100% Iberian parentage, ensuring its pure lineage. 100% Iberian pigs are destined for the "Montanera" period. This defines their diet and lifestyle, resulting in an incredibly gastronomic value for the ham.

Iberian pigs differ from other pigs and animals worldwide due to their ability to infiltrate fat into the muscle. They acquire this fat through their diet based on acorns and other wild fruits typical of the dehesas, the places where Iberian pigs live during the autumn and winter. Additionally, during the "Montanera" period, they not only receive this prized diet but also engage in physical activity. This allows them to develop their muscles and gain weight. In conclusion, all these factors contribute to a ham with a unique type of meat and fat, making each piece delicious.

Jamón de Bellota 100% Ibérico - Sabor suave Jamón ibérico 100% de Bellota - Pata Negra 528.20

HOW TO DISTINGUISH A PATA NEGRA HAM FROM THE REST?

Pata Negra ham has unique characteristics. Although it is commonly recognized by its darker skin and black hoof, sometimes this is not the case, as it may have a lighter hoof than other types of ham that are not 100% Iberian. For this reason, the color of the hoof is not a definitive factor in classifying a ham as "Pata Negra." Instead, if we consider the shape, there is something more distinctive to take into account. Pata Negra ham has a longer hoof than the rest and a shinier and more eye-catching skin. These two features indeed characterize and differentiate it from other types of ham.

When purchasing Pata Negra ham from Enrique Tomás, you should consider that it is the most prestigious range of hams in the house. It is distinguished by the black label and string, and on the label, you can see the 5 stars, our highest rating.

BUYING PATA NEGRA HAM IS WITHIN YOUR REACH

With just a single click, this selected, top-quality ham will be yours. Each piece of Pata Negra ham is carefully chosen by our master ham cutters, who traverse the entire Iberian Peninsula to find hams that meet Enrique Tomás's quality standards. Once selected, we assess whether they are at their optimal maturation point or if they need more time in our drying room. At the end of the process, all that remains is for you to savor its authentic flavor at home.

If you enjoy challenges and want to learn how to carve ham, you can purchase the whole leg. Be very careful, and you can follow our advice. If you're not confident in your carving skills and prefer to make the most of the piece, then sliced ham is the way to go.