Video: Spanish Cured Ham from Teruel, features and method of manufacture

We know you are really fans of our delicious Cured Ham by Antonio Mata, but do you know how is made? how is better than others? why its flavour is so smooth and tasty?

The Regulatory Council of Ham from Teruel marks very demanding production standards, seeking to keep and improve de highest quality in Spain. Ham from Teruel is an special cured ham, like no equal. Appetizing color and superb flavor.

Find out how we made the best Cured Ham in the world with this video from our YouTube Channel!!

HOW TO IDENTIFY A HAM WITH "JAMON DE TERUEL" DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN.

Check to see if the hoof is on the ham, the skin has the 8-point star and the word TERUEL heat-branded onto it, and that the band round the hoof has the registry number and stamp of the Regulatory Committee of JAMÓN DE TERUEL.

Don’t buy a pig in a poke! To identify a Jamón de Teruel  P.D.O  ham, check the three signs of its identity:

1. The rind or skin of the ham must bear the 8-point star and the word TERUEL burned into it.

2. A whole ham must always have its hoof. The Regulatory Committee cuts the hoof off all the rejected hams which do not meet the required standards: weight, marbling, months of curing, etc.

3. The hoof must have the band with the registry number and stamp of the Regulatory Committee of the Designation of Origin. This is the product’s ID card, which lets us identify the pig it came from, the farm it was raised on, the abattoir where it was slaughtered, the drying shed where the ham was cured, andother information.

If you buy the ham sliced rather than whole, check that the tray is labelled with the Jamón de Teruel logo.

We need to know how to distinguish a “Jamón de Teruel  P.D.O” from any cured ham from the province of Teruel. Don’t be fooled. Unlike other hams, “Jamón de Teruel P.D.O.” has gone through the strict quality checks established by the Regulatory Committee.

There are many differences between them. First, the whole process of a “Jamón de Teruel  P.D.O” has taken place in the province of Teruel. The pig was born, raised and slaughtered in Teruel, and of course, the ham was cured in one of the province’s 53 drying houses registered with the Regulatory Committee.  In this way the Regulatory committee is able to monitor every aspect of the product and provide complete traceability. None of this information is available for a ham which does not have the Denomination of Origin. Only 1 in 8 hams cured in the province of Teruel is “Jamón de Teruel P.D.O”.

The type of pigs used for Denomination of Origin “Jamón de Teruel  P.D.O ” hams are always from crosses between the breeds Landrace (standard type) and Large White, on the maternal line, and Duroc for the paternal line. This cross produces an exquisite ham, low in salt, high in proteins and low in cholesterol.

Another requirement of the Regulatory Committee is that the drying houses in the province of Teruel must be at least 800 metres above sea level. Teruel hams must be cured for at least fourteen months, although most industrial producers bring hams to the market after a longer curing time, to give the product more flavour and aroma.

After production, the inspectors of the Regulatory Committee of Denomination of Origin check each ham and certify them as suitable for the Designation of Origin with a numbered band and an eight-point star heat-branded onto the skin, with the word Teruel to signify its quality.

Take all these recommendations into account when buying a “Jamón de Teruel P.D.O” ham, and if you want a top quality product, be sure to insist on “Jamón de Teruel P.D.O”, or in other words, ham with a Protected Designation of Origin.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Few days to go, and New Year 2012 will be here. With the advent of new year, a new era begins and with it comes new hopes and new possibilities. Every year teaches us some of life's most important lessons, and with that learning we put our step forward into the new year.

Antonio Mata S.L. Your Spanish Gourmet, wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year 2012.

What are the Designations of Origin for hams (jamón) in Spain?.

Spanish PROVINCES

The most demanding distinctive quality mark for food is the Designation of Origin (DO). Products protected under this formula are those whose quality and characteristics are due to their geographical environment with its natural and human aspects, and whose production, processing and manufacture are always carried out within the geographical area from which they take their name.

In Spain, Designations of Origin for our reputed hams are as follows:

• Jamón de Teruel, (Teruel): 
• Los Pedroches, (Huelva):
• Dehesa de Extremadura (Extremadura): 
• Guijuelo (Salamanca):
• Jamón de Huelva (Huelva): 

Teruel province location in Spain

Jamones Casa Mata S.L., our mother company, is located in Rubielos de Mora, (Teruel province). We feed our own pigs in our farms, we sacrifice them and we process and cure its hams, complying with all the standard regulations stated by the Jamón de Teruel Regulatory Council. 

To get further details about:

• Regulatory Council
• Processing Methods
• Pigs origin and breeds
• Total production 
• Exports
• Etc.

You are invited to have a look at the official information given by "FOODS FROM SPAIN"  website dedicated to our Jamón de Teruel, Designation of Origin. 

In our blog, you are welcome to follow this link to one of the posts we have written to describe our delicious Jamón de Teruel.

Jamon de Teruel

Jamón de Teruel is a Designation of Origin protected by the EU, that is the reason why our quality label reads "Jamón de Teruel DOP" in Spanish, or "Ham from Teruel PDO in English language.

 If you want to know more about a protected designation of origin we recommend you to read this post: What is a Protected Designation of Origin by the EU?

The world of cured hams from Spain is fascinating!, do not hesitate to contact us for any information you might require at clientes@antoniomata.com. We are specialized in Spanish hams: Jamón de Teruel, jamón ibérico, jamón serrano, etc. and we will be delighted to solve all of your doubts. Be welcome at any time!

Cod with orange, ham and chestnut crust. Gastronomy with Spanish Jamon de Teruel (Ham from Teruel P.D.O).

Ingredients

4 fillet(s) (medium) fish, Cod, Raw  

1 cup of chestnuts

4 slices of ham from Teruel P.D.O 

1 medium orange, finely grated (its juice & peel)  

1 teaspoon herb seasoning blend 

1 tablespoons of fresh parsley  

2 cloves of garlic

1 big onion

2 tablespoons white wine

2 tablespoons Olive oil

Black Pepper and salt to taste

Steps

Preheat oven to 380°F (180ºC)

Saute cloves to garlic and onion finely cut with olive oil , then whisk in the white wine and the cognac stirring for several minutes. Add seasonings to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Simmer the chestnuts with salt for 15 to 25 minutes.

Put the garlic and onion into a bowl and add the parsley, the herb seasoning blend, the orange peel and its juice. Stir and season with salt, pepper and olive oil.

Spray a baking tray with olive oil and arrange the cod fillets on top. Then share the orange mixture between the cod, pressing it over the surface of each fillet, add the chestnuts and the Serrano ham. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Serve the fish with the slice ham from Teruel (P.D.O) and chestnuts.


Our Ham

‘Jamón de Teruel’ is the registered trade mark used by the Regulatory Council of Ham from Teruel, the oldest Spanish cured ham P.D.O. by the EU. 

What is a EU Protected Designation of Origin?

European foodstuffs play an important role in the cultural identity of European citizens and regions. The EU approach includes a strict control system to ensure high quality the European food and drinks.

Designation of origin: is linked to the name of a region, a specific place or, in exceptional cases, a country, used to describe an agricultural product or a foodstuff:

-originating in that region, specific place or country, and

-the quality or characteristics of which are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment with its inherent natural and human factors, and

-the production, processing and preparation of which take place in the defined geographical area

"JAMON DE TERUEL" is the oldest cured ham´s Spanish Designation of Origin protected by the EU. 

P.D.O. Ham from Teruel EU quality label

Designation of origin vs. geographical indication:

The two types of geographical description are different:

• A PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) covers the term used to describe foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how (such as Jamón de Teruel). 
• A PGI indicates a link with the area in at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation (such as Turrón de Alicante). 

The link with the geographical area is therefore stronger for PDOs.

Teruel province is considered one of the best Spanish areas to produce delicious cured pork hams because of its orography, climate, large traditions and know how. More than 2.000 people are working for companies related to pork industry in Teruel. 

For any further information about Teruel and "Jamón de Teruel" P.D.O. (Ham from Teruel P.D.O.) you can follow our page : http://jamonibericoserrano.blogspot.com/p/ham-from-teruel-pod.html

"Jamón de Teruel" P.O.D. Regulatory Council official website: www.jamondeteruel.com 

Spanish municipality Rubielos de Mora (Teruel) is a Cittaslow. Come and enjoy it with us!

The Cittaslow and Slow Food share the same philosophy based on the improving of life quality, enjoying solutions and services that allow people to live in an easy and pleasant way. 
Municipalities joining the association are motivated by curios people of a recovered time, where man is still protagonist of the slow and healthy succession of seasons , respectful of citizens’ health , the authenticity of products and good food, rich of fascinating craft traditions of valuable works of art, squares, theaters, shops, cafés, restaurants, places of the spirit and unspoiled landscapes, characterized by spontaneity of religious rites, respect of traditions through the joy of a slow and quiet living.

The International Association Cittaslow, was founded in Orvieto (Italy) in October 1999.

In March 2008, Rubielos de Mora ,with other six Spanish municipalities, was approved for membership by Cittaslow international. The town has adopted a set of goals and principles to ensure the highest quality of life for local residents and visitors.

One of these goals is follow the spirit of Slow Food, applying the concepts of defending biodiversity, taste education and ecogastronomy at practice of everyday day. 

Rubielos de Mora (Teruel - Spain)

In Rubielos de Mora entire Community, Government and Factories have to follow the philosophy of Slow Food. CASA MATA S.L. facilities located in Rubielos de Mora preserves artisanal methods to keep the traditions of our territory and guarantee the authenticity of their pork meats and hams.

Casa Mata S.L. Facilities

Further information about Cittaslow and Slow Food International can be found at http://www.cittaslow.org, and at http://www.slowfood.com