Acorn-fed 100% Ibérico Ham - Pata Negra

Acorn-fed 100% Ibérico Ham (traditionally known as Jamón de Bellota or Pata Negra) is the absolute jewel of Spanish gastronomy. Sourced from free-range pigs roaming the dehesa and fed on acorns during the Montanera, this Bellota ham offers a unique experience. Each piece undergoes a slow curing process of over 36 months, supervised by our artisanal ham masters. Recognized by its unmistakable Black Label, it offers an intense, nutty flavor and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

FAQs about Acorn-fed 100% Ibérico Ham

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.

Pata Negra Ham: Black Label Excellence and 100% Ibérico Purity

The first thing you should know is that the name “pata negra” refers exclusively to premium Iberian acorn-fed ham. There is a lot of confusion surrounding this term, as many people, even Spaniards, believe that pata negra refers to any acorn-fed ham, but this is not the case. Authentic “pata negra” ham comes from 100% Iberian pigs, born to Iberian parents.

Origin and Curing: From the Montanera to the Cellar

Pata negra is premium Iberian acorn-fed ham. As its name suggests, it is ham that comes from Iberian pigs, which are native to and unique to the Iberian Peninsula. In this case, both parents are 100% Iberian, so the breed is of unquestionable purity. 100% Iberian pigs are destined for the “Montanera.” This is what defines their diet and lifestyle and makes the ham incredibly valuable from a gastronomic point of view. Iberian pigs differ from other pigs and animals in the world in their ability to infiltrate fat into their muscles. They obtain this fat from a diet of acorns and other wild fruits characteristic of the dehesas, where Iberian pigs live during the fall and winter. In addition, during the montanera season, they not only receive this precious food, but also get exercise. This allows them to develop their muscles and gain weight. In short, all these factors result in a ham with a unique type of meat and fat, which makes every bite delicious.

Where to buy Bellota Ham (Acorn Ham) online?

No matter where you are in the world, buying pata negra ham is easy for you. If you have ever traveled to Spain and tasted this delicacy of our cuisine, you will surely want to repeat the experience. 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. It's easy through our online store. You can buy it whole or sliced, and we'll send it wherever you want, quickly, safely, and with a full guarantee. At Enrique Tomás, we consider this type of ham to be the jewel in the crown, the most prized product in our range of Iberian hams. Let us explain why you should buy pata negra ham.

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.

Buy 100% Ibérico Ham Online: from 24 to 72H

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.