World's Best Ham by PataNegra.dk

  For ten days at the end of August, the seaside town of Vila do Conde turns into an absolute heaven for food lovers. From August 22 to 31, 2025, the 25th Cozinha à Portuguesa – Feira de Gastronomia changed the Jardins da Avenida Júlio Graça into a lively celebration of Portuguese culture, flavours and tradition. This year’s edition was special not only for the flavours on offer, but also for the warm tribute to Camilo Castelo Branco, one of Portugal’s great Romantic writers. The fair gave visitors a unique mix of literature and gastronomy, mixing heritage with innovation, and once more showing why it remains one of the nation’s most loved food events. A Literary Touch: Camilo at the Table The 2025 fair placed Camilo Castelo Branco at the centre of its theme, marking the bicentenary of his birth. A special restaurant, “À Mesa com Camilo,” recreated meals inspired by the world of the author, drawing on recipes compiled in Elzira Sá Queiroga’s book of the same name. Visitors could s...

  When people talk about the world’s best ham, food lovers and chefs almost always point to one name: Jabugo. Known for its unmistakable flavour, delicate marbling, and centuries-old tradition, Jabugo’s pata negra has taken its place on one of the world's biggest culinary stages — Paris. What Makes Jabugo Special? The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Jabugo is not just a stamp of authenticity; it’s a promise of excellence. These hams come exclusively from the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park in Huelva, Spain. Here, 100% pure Iberian pigs roam free among oak forests, feeding on acorns and wild herbs during the montanera season. This natural diet, combined with traditional curing in mountain cellars, creates flavours that are impossible to replicate elsewhere. It’s what turns Jabugo into the true definition of pata negra. A Paris Showcase of Excellence PDO Jabugo recently brought its story all the way to Paris, showcasing what many consider the world’s best ha...

In the peaceful town of Macotera, nestled in the province of Salamanca, something extraordinary has happened in the world of food. A small, family-run producer, Jamones Prim, has just won the title of Best Acorn-Fed Jamón Ibérico in Spain. To many food lovers, that means it’s now also a strong contender for the world's best ham. This isn’t just a local prize. It’s an award backed by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, following a blind tasting process so strict and so carefully done that only the most exceptional hams rise to the top. A Secret Tasting That Crowned the Best The competition to choose Spain’s best Jamón Ibérico de Bellota is as serious as it gets. According to Cadena SER, the Ministry invited ham producers from all corners of Spain. Brands, labels, and logos were all removed so that the judges wouldn’t know whose ham they were tasting. A panel of trained experts tasted each sample and judged it on four main things: Smell – How complex and rich the aroma was Look – Co...