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Showing posts with the label gastronomic tourism Extremadura

The Dehesa de Extremadura Is a Benchmark for Sustainability and Tradition for Iberian Pigs

Pata Negra Ham Nestled in the heart of southwestern Spain, the Dehesa de Extremadura is a testament to the harmonious coexistence between nature and tradition. Spanning nearly one million hectares, this unique ecosystem is characterized by its rolling pastures dotted with holm and cork oaks. It provides an ideal environment for rearing the Iberian pig—a cornerstone of Spain's gastronomic heritage. The Dehesa: A Biodiverse Haven The dehesa is more than just a pastoral landscape; it's a biodiverse haven where livestock such as Iberian pigs, Merino sheep, and Retinto cattle graze alongside native flora and fauna. This traditional agro-sylvo-pastoral system promotes sustainability, ensuring agricultural practices support and enhance biodiversity rather than diminish it.​ The Iberian Pig and Its Diet Central to the dehesa's agricultural practices is the rearing of the Iberian pig, renowned for producing some of the world's finest hams. These pigs are raised in semi-freedom, ...