Señorío de Montanera, Pure Iberian Ham from Extremadura • NastaONE International Communication & Commercial Development

SEÑORÍO DE MONTANERA

THE PLEASURE OF PURE IBERICO HAM

When we think of the best Iberico ham, we imagine those fine slices carved by knife, in which the infiltrated fat snakes with strength and finesse over the red; making us salivate of pure pleasure.

But to achieve this excellence, very special conditions are necessary, the result of the perfect symbiosis between origin (environment), pure Iberico breed and tradition, which only the experience of a brand like Señorío de Montanera can offer with full guarantee.

Señorío de Montanera is the leading brand of pure Iberico D.O.P. Dehesa de Extremadura since 1995, thanks to its expertise in producing the best acorn-fed 100% Iberico hams and acorn-fed 100% Iberico shoulders.

The control of the entire production line, from the breeding of the 100% Iberico pig in the pasture to the traditional production of the final product, guarantees the excellent quality and homogeneity of all its acorn-fed Iberico products.

Señorío de Montanera, Pure Iberian Ham from Extremadura

A LIVESTOCK LEGACY: ITS GREATEST TREASURE

Señorío de Montanera, with a heritage of generations of livestock farming, protects more than 60,000 hectares of pasture in Extremadura and Andalusia – the area of the Iberian Peninsula with the largest area of holm oak forests-.

The Dehesa is one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the Iberian landscape. Iberico pigs are raised and fattened here, surrounded by centuries-old trees, holm oaks and cork oaks, producers of acorns and enveloped in the aromas of cistus, charneca, mastic, juniper, jaguar and rosemary; and on an endless mosaic of grassland that shows all shades of green in autumn and winter and appears multicoloured in spring or full of ochres, yellows, and browns in summer.

In this privileged ecosystem, their 100% Iberico pigs are raised in freedom, where they enjoy more than 3 hectares of land for each animal and are fed exclusively on acorns and natural grasses during the Montanera season (from October to March).

Concerned about the conservation of this natural ecosystem, Señorío de Montanera defends a traditional livestock production of acorn-fed 100% Iberico pigs, with the aim of achieving acorn-fed Iberico products of the highest quality.

THE PURE IBERICO PIG

The Iberico pig is a medium-sized animal, with pigmented skin varying from deep black to red or reddish, and with sparse or absent hair.

Its limbs or shanks are thin, resistant and with hooves that are completely black or with whitish stripes as in the Torbiscal strain.

The breeding of pure Iberico pigs remains linked to the pastures of the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, surrounded by holm oaks and cork oaks that produce acorns. In this way, the survival of this unique ecosystem is ensured.

The 100% Iberico pig from Señorío de Montanera lives in freedom in their natural habitat, the centuries-old dehesas, and enjoy more than 3 hectares of pastureland for each animal.

THE MONTANERA: EXCLUSIVE FEEDING ON ACORNS

A natural diet, based on acorns and natural resources found in the pasture (roots, herbs, wild fruits, etc.), is essential for the breeding of pure Iberico pigs, being responsible for the excellent aroma and flavour of their products.

During the Montanera season (from October to March), a 100% Iberico pig can consume more than 15 kg of acorns per day.

LEADER IN THE DENOMINATION OF ORIGIN DEHESA DE EXTREMADURA

For two decades, Señorío de Montanera has been the undisputed leader in the production of pure acorn-fed Iberico products under the Dehesa de Extremadura Designation of Origin, the most demanding in the Iberico sector in Spain.

The Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin works for the constant improvement and control of the Iberico products protected under its seal, carrying out exhaustive independent controls both in the pasture during the Montanera and in the different phases of the product production process.

ACORN-FED 100% IBERICO HAM

Centuries of tradition and know-how are reflected in the unique character of Señorío de Montanera acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham. A gastronomic jewel whose premium quality is guaranteed by the prestigious Dehesa de Extremadura Denomination of Origin.

In the production of its exclusive hams, Señorío de Montanera uses purely artisan methods and processes, based on the craft passed down from generation to generation. A slow maturation, for more than four years at the mercy of the silence of the cellars and natural drying rooms, gives it an exquisite aroma and flavour that distinguish it as the best acorn-fed Iberico ham.

Each Señorío de Montanera acorn-fed Iberico ham has unique qualities that make it an exclusive and inimitable product. Its presence is unequalled: black hoof, very thin shank, elongated shape, V-shaped serrano cut, yellowish fat cover, and natural mould exudates.

Intense purplish-red lean, the almost transparent infiltrated fat stands out, giving it texture and unequalled juiciness. A gourmet product that will surprise the most exquisite palates.

WHAT DOES THE BEST ACORN-FED IBERICO HAM TASTE LIKE?

TASTING NOTE OF AN IBERICO SEÑORÍO DE MONTANERA HAM

Once opened, the Señorío de Montanera acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham presents qualities of the best gourmet product in terms of presence, flavour, and aroma.

Cut: When cut, it has an intense and bright red colour, with a good fat infiltration, forming almost transparent white streaks on the slices.

Flavour and aroma: Señorío de Montanera acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham has a warm and deep aroma, with nuances of dried fruits. Its flavour is intense and round, the fat melts in the mouth and floods the palate with the purest flavours of the Extremadura pastures.

A gourmet product that surprises the most exquisite palates.

HOW TO RECOGNISE THE BEST IBERICO HAM

Iberico ham is one of the greatest treasures of gastronomy and one of the most appreciated gourmet products in the world. However, in the market we find different qualities that can often mislead us when choosing a piece that reflects the value of this gastronomic jewel.

The value of the best acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham is based on the essence of the pasture, together with the mastery of expert hands dedicated body and soul to the care of an artisan product. When identifying a good Iberico ham it is necessary to look at the following aspects:

Hoof Colour: Generally, in 100% Iberico pigs, the hoof is black, which is why the condition «Pata Negra» is so widespread. However, in some strains of pure Iberico pigs the hoof is marbled; therefore, the colour of the hoof is not the determining factor, and we must look for other qualities to recognise the highest quality in a piece of Iberico ham.

Black seal: This label, which must be inviolable and numbered, identifies that the piece of ham (or shoulder) comes from an acorn-fed 100% Iberico pig. At Señorío de Montanera, they also put a second seal, also black, with the identifying number of the piece to ensure the complete traceability of all its products.

Morphology of the Iberico ham: The piece must be stylized and muscular, a sign of the activity of the Iberico pig in the pasture; with a thin leg and a narrow shank at the end. The covering fat is yellowish in colour and soft in texture, which should yield slightly under pressure. Señorío de Montanera makes the characteristic “V” serrano cut on its hams, traditional in the profiling of Iberico hams to optimise their curing. The weight can vary between 6 and 9 kg for hams and between 4 and 4.5 kg for shoulders.

Protected Designation of Origin: Certification by a P.D.O. is an unequivocal guarantee of quality, which carries out exhaustive external controls on the products it covers. Señorío de Montanera is the leader in the production of pure Iberico products from the Dehesa de Extremadura Protected Designation of Origin, the most demanding in the Iberico sector in Spain.

Label and traceability: The label of the Iberico ham must contain all the complete information about the product, the quality specification and the name of the independent control body, if it is covered by the Ibérico Quality Standard. At Señorío de Montanera they also take the opportunity to include a traceability passport with the specific and individualized data of the piece (farm of origin, time spent in Montanera season for the pure Iberico pig, amount of acorn ingested, curing time, etc.). This information can be expanded by entering the part number in the traceability section of its website.

THE ARTISAN AND TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION OF IBERICO HAM

The process of making Iberico ham begins with the artisan profiling and the typical Serrano V-shaped cut of the piece. This is a highly specialised manual process in which the master profiler only cuts around 30 pieces per hour to ensure that the product is carefully trimmed.

At the end of this phase, the pieces are individually weighed and sorted to start the salting process. The hind legs are stacked and covered with sea salt and are kept in salt for one day for each kg of weight. Once this period is over, they are washed and pass to the post-salting stage for at least 120 days to stabilise the pieces, always controlling the temperature, relative humidity and air flow.

The next stage is natural drying in chambers with a natural environment and filtered lighting, where the pieces remain for more than 9 months. In summer, when the temperature exceeds 25ºC at certain times, the hams and shoulders «sweat», contributing to the future aroma of the hams. If the temperature exceeds 30ºC, air-conditioning is used to prevent the hams from sweating excessively, and the master ham makers, in their knowledge of this traditional form of production, open and close windows according to the environmental conditions to maintain the temperature and humidity of this stage.

At the end of the winter, the pieces are moved to the semi-darkness of the cellar, where temperatures are more stable and cooler than in the drying room, where they remain for 18 to 36 months. When the time comes for consumption, the pieces will have lost more than 30% of their initial weight.

To determine the optimal moment for consumption, the master ham maker proceeds to the «cala» of all the pieces one by one, to check that the aroma inside is adequate and that the ham is sufficiently mature.

BENEFITS OF IBERICO HAM FOR HEALTH

Acorn-fed 100% Iberico ham is a healthy product typical of the Mediterranean diet. It is a source of protein and contains a high level of oleic acid, so its moderate consumption is a highly healthy pleasure.

The characteristics of the acorn and the Iberico breed make Señorío de Montanera ham a beneficial product for our health.

The high percentages of monounsaturated fats and tocopherols act as powerful natural antioxidants which, as well as making them exquisite, give them a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, regulating our metabolism and helping to reduce cholesterol, in a similar way to olive oil and placing them among the most complete foods in the Mediterranean diet.

Señorío de Montanera organic iberico products

ORGANIC PRODUCTION

Señorío de Montanera has an exclusive line of organic iberico products as part of its research and development strategy for healthier and more natural products.

The organic iberico hams, shoulders and sausages come from organic agriculture and livestock farming, based on 100% natural resources that help to preserve the environment.

Furthermore, their natural breeding and preparation result in an exceptional product, free of any artificially synthesised additives (preservatives -nitrites and nitrates-, stabilisers, etc.).

Organic Iberico pigs are reared raised freely in pastures certified as organic farms and are fed on acorns, natural grasses and other organic foods.

These farms are separate from normal farms to ensure 100% organic production, that is during the period when there are no acorns or grass in the pastures, late spring and all summer, the Iberico pigs are fed with organic feed.

In addition, the production of these products is also carried out on a separate line in time and space from the rest of the traditional Iberico products.

This manufacturing process is certified with zero residue of genetically modified organisms, so that Señorío de Montanera organic Iberico products contain no additives or artificial preservatives and are duly labelled with the organic logo of the European Union.

Señorío de Montanera 100% iberico ham dop dehesa de extremadura

INNOVATION IN THE IBERICO HAM SECTOR

But this leading firm is motivated by much more than the undeniable quality of its iberico hams and iberico shoulders: the defence of the ecosystem to which it owes its raison d’être and the commitment to innovate and surprise the consumer have led Señorío de Montanera to produce some of the most exclusive products on the Iberico market today.

Since its beginnings, Señorío de Montanera has been faithful to its traditional values: the defence of traditional livestock production of acorn-fed 100% Iberico pigs, with the aim of obtaining Iberico products of the highest quality, through a purely artisanal production.

To this end, it has a consolidated R&D department that works to recover traditional recipes and improve existing ones, with the aim of eliminating additives and allergens, and achieving more natural and healthy products.

In recent years, Señorío de Montanera has eliminated lactose from all its recipes and has had its products certified gluten-free by FACE for the greater confidence of its coeliac consumers.

Currently, it is working to transfer these 100% natural recipes to all its production, to achieve a complete catalogue of natural Iberico products that represent the purest flavour of the pasture of Extremadura.

ENSURING QUALITY

With more than 25 years of tradition, Señorío de Montanera has remained faithful to its spirit, a clear respect for the livestock farming tradition and a commitment to the traditions of its land.

For this reason, Señorío de Montanera is the first brand of the Denomination of Origin «Dehesa de Extremadura» and one of the first companies of acorn-fed Iberico pigs in Spain that controls the entire production line, from the breeding of the 100% Iberico pig in the pasture, to the traditional production of the final product.

In this way, it is possible to guarantee excellent quality and homogeneity in all its acorn-fed Iberico products.

FOOD CERTIFICATION: SAFETY THROUGHOUT THE PRODUCTION CHAIN

At Señorío de Montanera, where traditional production and excellence in quality are intertwined, food certification plays a crucial role in the safety of the entire production chain, representing a commitment to transparency and consumer confidence.

Among the series of certifications that support the quality and safety of its Iberico products, the following can be highlighted:

TRAZA & CONTROL IBÉRICA: Certifies that the products obtained are obtained through processes that meet the minimum requirements established in the Quality Standard, approved by RD 4/2014 and by the Certification Protocol (14/12/2020) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

BRCGS: Helps to generate confidence in the supply chain, establishing a benchmark for good manufacturing practices and guaranteeing safe, legal, and high-quality products.

IFS FOOD: Enables the review of products and production processes to assess the ability to produce safe, authentic, and quality products in accordance with legal requirements and customer specifications. It helps companies to meet the increasing demands for transparency and traceability in the marketplace, helps to improve product integrity and increase efficiency.