Tradition and quality are the essence of Sánchez Romero Carvajal, Spain’s oldest producer of Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. “Like Beluga caviar or Kobe beef, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota is one of the luxuries of the meat world, and the 5J brand is unquestionably the Rolls-Royce of its class,” says Don Harris, owner and founder of La Tienda.
Carvajal is based in the mountain village of Jabugo, located in the province of Huelva in southwestern Spain. “Many people around the world now simply refer to Jamón Ibérico de Bellota as “Jabugo” due to the quality and reputation of their ham,” adds co-owner Jonathan Harris.
Unlike most Ibérico producers, Carvajal's 5J brand uses only 100% Cerdo Ibérico pigs. This unique breed is descended from the prehistoric Mediterranean boar and distinguished by its black hooves (pata negra). Once weaned, these privileged animals spend their entire lives freely roaming the Dehesa woodlands, eating a diet that culminates in an abundance of acorns (bellota). The resulting hams not only have a distinctive rich and nutty flavor, but also have a surprising number of health benefits. Because of the acorns, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota contains more antioxidants than other hams, as well as more oleic acid (the same “healthy fat” found in olive oil) than any other meat.
The 5J hams are hung to dry in a curing facility with windows open to the mountain air. The pig’s harmonious development of fat and muscle from its time in the Dehesa allows the ham to cure for as much as two years longer than other traditional hams, enabling chemical changes that result in a unique marbling and flavor coveted by connoisseurs in Spain and abroad.
La Tienda is the leader in introducing artisan Spanish ham to the United States. Owner Tim Harris remarked, “Our family is delighted to be once again the very first to deliver an extraordinary jamón from Spain to America!” In 1998, La Tienda began offering Jamón Serrano, Spain’s most popular cured ham, made from normal pork. Beginning in 2002, the company offered customers the opportunity to place deposits in anticipation of the arrival of the first exquisite Ibérico hams to arrive on American shores.
The response from those investing in Jamón Ibérico de Bellota “futures” was enthusiastic, with hundreds of customers placing deposits. Imported by Jamones Fermín USA, La Tienda delivered the first hams to these select customers in 2008. Demand has continued to grow with La Tienda sales of Fermín Bellota ham increasing more than 150% since last year.
5J Jamones and Paletas (shoulders) de Bellota are only available through pre-order from LaTienda.com with a $299 fully refundable deposit. Paletas are scheduled to arrive in the summer of 2010, with the traditional bone-in hams expected in early 2011. The final price for the whole hams, based upon weight, should average approximately $1700. Small two ounce sample packets of sliced Jamón and Paleta will be available as well on LaTienda.com.
http://www.tienda.com/press/releases.html?id=184