World's Best Ham by PataNegra.dk

In the rugged hills of the Serranía de Ronda, where chestnut trees lean over steep slopes and the air carries the scent of wild herbs, a quiet revolution is unfolding. And leading it is a woman who once taught macroeconomics to university students. Today, Chelo Gámez walks the mountain trails checking on pigs, tasting acorns, and shaping one of Spain’s most surprising success stories in gourmet food. Her company, Dehesa Monteros, has grown from a simple idea into a respected name in the world of premium Iberian ham, a project now whispered about by chefs and ham lovers as a potential contender for the world's best ham. From the Classroom to the Countryside Chelo’s unexpected journey began with a question from one of her own students: “If you teach diversification, why don’t you invest in something real yourself?” The challenge stayed with her. Soon after, she visited a finca in the Valley of Genal and felt something shift. Instead of buying a quiet country retreat, she purchased ...

Pata Negra Ham In a world where culinary craftsmanship often battles with convenience, Carrasco Ibéricos has once again reaffirmed its commitment to tradition, excellence, and heritage, launching its 2021 Limited Edition Jamón Solera. This unique offering, cured for an extraordinary five years, will be unveiled on June 25th at noon in Madrid’s iconic Mercado de San Miguel, with a special tasting event led by renowned chef and brand ambassador David de Jorge. The Solera Ham is more than a premium product—it is a living tribute to five generations of artisanal dedication in the heart of Guijuelo, a town famed for its cured meats. As Juan Atanasio Carrasco, general manager of Carrasco Ibéricos, reflects, “This began as a tribute to the tradition of all those who have made up the company for five generations. We have concentrated all this legacy into a series of hams that meet the highest quality standards and are made with the utmost care.” Solera: A Philosophy of Continuity Inspired by t...

Iberian Ham At the 2025 Salón Gourmets in Madrid, Jamones Aljomar, a family-run business from Guijuelo, Salamanca, unveiled its latest innovation: a new line of 100% natural, nitrifying-free hams and shoulders. This introduction responds to rising customer demand for healthy, additive-free products that maintain the rich tastes of traditional Iberian cured meats. Embracing Natural Curing Methods Traditionally, curing agents like nitrites and nitrates have been used in meat processing to preserve color, enhance flavor, and inhibit microbial growth. However, Aljomar's new range eliminates these additives, focusing instead on slow, artisanal curing processes that rely on time-honored techniques. The result is a pure, nuanced product that maintains the essence of Iberian culinary heritage. This commitment to natural methods extends beyond hams and shoulders. Aljomar also introduced a line of 100% natural Iberian sausages, including chorizos and salchichones, crafted without additives,...

Señorío de Montanera Señorío de Montanera, a prestigious brand recognized for its pure Iberian products sourced from the Dehesa de Extremadura Denominación de Origen, has recently been honored as the top producer of acorn-fed Iberian ham in the world according to the international guide Taste Atlas. This prestigious recognition underscores the brand's unwavering commitment to quality, tradition, and environmental stewardship. The Dehesa de Extremadura, a vast expanse of oak forests in southwestern Spain, serves as the natural habitat for the Iberian pig. This unique ecosystem, characterized by its rich biodiversity, is pivotal in producing high-quality Iberian ham. "Dehesa" originates from the Castilian word "defensa," historically referring to lands designated for free-range grazing. Today, the Dehesa de Extremadura encompasses the entire Extremadura community as a livestock-producing area, with specific regions in southwestern Badajoz dedicated to the producti...