Here you have a complete guide on how to select, preserve, and enjoy an entire piece of shoulder ham.

Selection of the Piece

Designation of Origin: Look for shoulders with protected designation of origin (PDO) like PDO Dehesa de Extremadura.

Quality Label: The black or green label indicates the percentage of Iberian breed and feeding regime with acorns or natural feed.

Weight and Size: Pieces usually weigh between 4 and 6 kg. A larger shoulder may have a more developed flavor due to its longer curing time.

Visual Appearance: The hoof should be black, a sign of the Iberian breed, and the outer fat should have a yellowish hue.

Preservation of the Shoulder

Storage: Keep the shoulder in a cool, dry place with a temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. Avoid direct sunlight and places with abrupt temperature changes.

Positioning on the Ham Stand: Use a ham stand to hold the piece. This facilitates cutting and helps keep the piece in good condition.

Surface Protection: Once started, cover the exposed part with a clean cloth and a bit of the shoulder’s own fat to prevent it from drying out.

Cutting the Shoulder

Necessary Tools: Use a long, flexible ham knife, a short, rigid knife for cleaning, and a sharpening steel to maintain the edge.

Cutting Technique:

First Cut: Start with the "maza" (the juiciest part) if you plan to consume it quickly, or with the "babilla" (the less juicy part) if it will last longer.

Thin Slices: Cut thin, small slices, always in the opposite direction to the hoof.

Piece Rotation: When you reach the bone, rotate the shoulder and start cutting from the other side.

Enjoying the Shoulder

Serving Temperature: Serve the slices at room temperature to better appreciate their flavor and texture.

Accompaniments: You can accompany the shoulder with bread, tomato, olive oil, and wines like fino or manzanilla.

Preservation of Slices: If you don’t consume all the slices at once, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and take them out a while before consuming to reach room temperature.

Benefits of Iberian Shoulder Ham:

Unique Flavor and 100% Healthy: Rich in oleic acid, field-fed or acorn-fed shoulder ham is beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Buying and enjoying a piece of Iberian shoulder ham is a gourmet experience that reflects the best of Spanish cuisine. Enjoy every slice!