Dehesa de Extremadura Protected Designation of Origin

Let’s continue with the second of the four Denominations of Origin of Iberian ham in Spain. But first of all, as a reminder: a Denomination of Origin is a classification used to legally protect certain products such as ham, which encompasses the area of production and the traditional methods used in it. For the consumer, it guarantees a constant level of quality and specific characteristics.

The protected hams and shoulders come from pure-bred Iberian pigs, or the crosses between Iberian and Duroc-Jersery breeds with 75% and 25% respectively. 

They are classified according to their diet in: 

• Acorn-fed or montanera-finished pork: Pigs that have an intake weight of between 80 and 105 kg and that regain at least 60 or 65% of their intake weight in this diet, depending on whether they are pure Iberian or cross-bred.
• Cebo de campopig: That which must be replaced in a montanera regime, at least 30% of its input weight, being helped in its bait with authorized feed.
• Feeding stuffor finished feeding stuffpig: A pig which is fed with approved feeding stuff

Characteristics of hams and shoulders

The protected hams and shoulders are elongated and stylised in shape, shaped by the so-called’V’ shaped serrano cut, preserving the hoof. Its weight is greater than 4.5 kg in hams and 3.5 kg in shoulders. 

When cut, they have a characteristic colour, which varies from soda to purple red, with fat infiltrated in the muscle mass. The meat has a delicate, slightly salty or sweet taste and a slightly fibrous texture. The aroma is pleasant and characteristic. The fat is bright, yellowish-white in colour, aromatic and pleasant in flavour. The consistency varies according to the percentage of feeding with acorns. 

Geographical area of La Dehesa de Extremadura

The production area is made up of wooded meadows with holm oaks and/or cork oaks in the provinces of Cáceres and Badajoz. 

The production and ripening area is made up of 40 municipalities in Badajoz and 45 in Cáceres, located mainly in the regions of Extremadura with mountain ranges in the south-west of Badajoz, Ibor-Villuercas, Cáceres-Gredos Sur, Sierra Montánchez and Sierra de San Pedro.