Knowing the nutrients present in the foods we consume in our daily lives is essential to strive for a balanced diet. But are you one of those who consume a lot of Iberian cured meats? Well, if you want to know the properties of Iberian salchichón (cured sausage), you're in luck!

At Enrique Tomás, we're going to provide you with the information you're seeking and compare it with chorizo and ham.

You'll see how informative this is!

What are the Properties of Iberian Salchichón?

Iberian salchichón is produced using the meat from authentic pigs of our peninsula, and their ability to infiltrate fat into the muscle results in a top-quality product.

To produce this sausage, lean pieces of Iberian pork are used and seasoned with various spices, such as black pepper. Once they are ready, they are hung up and allowed to dry, similar to ham, and then prepared for commercialization. When they're at their prime, we distribute them to make sure they reach you, offering you a premium product.

Upon consumption, for every 100 grams of salchichón, our body receives 19.25 grams of proteins, 1.4 grams of carbohydrates, 39.5 grams of fat, and 438 kcal, along with vitamins B3, B9, B12, and K, among others. However, it's important to note that these values are indicative and may vary based on the type of salchichón and the curing process followed.

It's worth mentioning that Iberian salchichón is rich in sodium and low in sugars, and like everything in life, it should be consumed in moderation.

And in Comparison with Other Cured Meats?

Iberian ham and chorizo are also produced using the meat from authentic Iberian pigs, and just like with salchichón, they are juicier than cured meats prepared with white pig meat. The inherent ability of our peninsula's pigs to infiltrate fat into the muscle makes their products juicier and richer.

That being said, both Iberian ham and chorizo have fewer calories than salchichón. For every 100 grams of the latter, our body receives a total of 438 kcal, as we mentioned earlier, while 100 grams of chorizo provide 356 kcal and 100 grams of ham provide 375 kcal.

Additionally, both ham and chorizo contain less fat than salchichón, with ham containing 22.4 grams and chorizo containing 29.3 grams of fat. When it comes to proteins, it's also worth noting that the protein content of cured ham and chorizo is 43.2 and 21.18 grams respectively, both higher than that of salchichón.

Furthermore, a study published in 2015 by the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid demonstrated that consuming about 40 grams of ham per day can be beneficial for health as it aids in maintaining blood pressure and doesn't contribute to weight gain. As for salchichón and chorizo, it's important to keep in mind that excessive consumption is not advisable; they should be consumed moderately.

It's not a good idea to devour a pack of sliced meats all at once. However, if you make yourself a sandwich for lunch once or twice a week, that's perfectly fine! And now that you know the properties of Iberian salchichón and how often it can be consumed...

Indulge yourself from time to time!

Iberian Salchichón from Enrique Tomás