Black Iberian pig
The Iberian Pig ( Cerdo Ibérico Spanish, Portuguese Porco ibérico ) is in south-western Spain ( particularly Andalucia, Extremadura ) and Portugal ( Alentejo especially ) domestic, semi-wild breed of pig. Compared to the ( much younger ) conventional domestic pig breeds, it is significantly smaller and more nimble. Iberian pigs have been bred by Roman legionaries who had settled in today's Extremadura.
The animals are mostly kept as pasture pigs free running in cork oak and holm oak groves ( dehesas ) and often fattened with acorns. The Iberian pig supplies called in Spain and Portugal known as specialty air-dried Iberian ham ( Jamón Ibérico ), with animals from the acorn-fed jamón Iberico de Bellota also ( Iberian acorn ham). Because, in contrast to other breeds black skin of the animals of the ham is called in Spanish as " Black Claw ham " ( jamón de pata negra ). In Portugal, called the local variant of the ham presunto de porco de raça alentejana (ham from the Alentejo breed pig ), the origin protected ham ravines.
The Spanish Government Agency " Dehesa de Extremadura " has introduced several certificates to distinguish the different management practices of Iberian pig in Spain, aimed at protecting the quality Jamón Ibérico name. In addition, in Spain and Portugal are subject to both the attitude of the animals and the production of ham and more recently the finished product regulatory controls. Due to different feeding arise in Spain three quality grades:
Jamón Ibérico de Bellota 1 Jamón Ibérico or terminado en montanera comes from free-range pigs that have reached approximately 40 % of their live weight by acorns of holm oak and cork trees and herbs. The acorns provide the nutty taste.
2 Jamón Ibérico de Recebo comes from pigs, which were fed acorns. During this time, the initial weight increased by acorns and herbs by about 30 %. The final fattening is done with corn and cattle feed.
3 The Jamón Ibérico de Pienso ( Campo) comes from pigs that were fattened in the stall only with cereals and fodder.