Where Does Spain's Best Jamón Come From?

We go to the source of Spain's best jamón ibérico de bellota - yep, that's the amazingly delicious black-hoof, acorn fed ha, that Spain is famous for. We see how the Iberian pigs are raised, see how the ham is made, and enjoy an incredible ham feast! Venga, let’s go! 🥝
⏩ Watch Next: Yoly and I buy our first jamón: • How to buy a WHOLE JAMÓN!
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Big thank you to Luismi from Mercado Jamón Ibérico (www.mercadojamoniberico.com/) and Manuel from Ibéricos Maldonado (ibericosmaldonado.com/)
MORE INFO ABOUT THIS VIDEO 😃
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I have eaten a lot of jamón over the years. And I've learned about where it comes from and how it's made. But I've never experience the incredible process first hand.
In this video Yoly went out on a misty morning to Alburquerque, in Extremadura, right alongside the border with Portugal .We were visiting a magical part of Spain. It's called la dehesa, and it's a region of this country that is covered with pastures and oak trees.
And it's in this dehesa that Spain's famous (and native!) Iberian pigs roam.
And it's from these pigs that jamón ibérico de bellota is made.
We went with Luismi from Mercado Jamón Ibérico to the estate of Manuel Maldonado of Ibéricos Maldonado to see how he raises is free range pigs. We saw 2-weeks old babies, sucking from their mother. Then we saw the young pigs in la dehesa. And then we saw the big Iberian pigs who were eating acorns during la montanera period, fattening up to be slaughtered.
The acorns have an oleic acid which gives the pigs a delicious flavour!
And then we went to the factory to see how the jamón is made - first salted, then dried, and then hung to cure for up to 4 years.
And finally, we sat and ate the most delicious Iberian cured meats - chorizo, salchichón, lomo. And incredible cuts of meat - presa ibérica, solomillo. And paired it all with local wines.
It was an incredible experience!
And if I'm only going to eat a little bit of meat in my life - I want it to be amazing quality, and from ethically treated animals. And this was it!
WHO ARE WE? 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!
*This description contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you use them 🙏🏻

[@ismaelcebrianmarco7288]

As a Spaniard living abroad, I know I'm going to suffer watching this video. But i'm going to watch it anyways. Venga masoquismo, let's go!

[@Emy53]

Why are you going to suffer?

[@jameshamilton777]

As an Englishman married to a Spaniard living just outside of Valencia I have grown to love all things Spanish and I really enjoy your videos! Especially this one as I love Jamón and Spanish red wine! Thank you!

[@spainrevealed]

Cheers James!

[@Juandiseg_]

I never thought somebody could make me feel so hungry

[@spainrevealed]

Sorry about that!!

[@sugarpop7377]

Juan Diego Segnini Frias the problem with this Chanel is that we get to see them watching them eat all the goodies 🤤🤤but with no chance of tasting them ....🙁

[@jorgeruizibanez2318]

Me acabo de cenar un bokata de jamón ibérico de bellota, y veo esto y me da por abrir una de vino, adoctrinamiento?

[@joaquin4893]

Alucinante lo que amas lo nuestro, más que muchos. Gracias por sentirme orgulloso de mí país, te escribo desde China. 😆

[@bumble.bee22]

Cuidate del coronavirus

[@eduardocorchero415]

You really love Spain.

[@spainrevealed]

I do!!

[@silvia3225]

¡Bienvenido a Extremadura, mi tierra! Gracias por mostrar la belleza de nuestros campos, de la montanera, así como de nuestros productos. Me alegro de que disfrutaras. Saludos.

[@acspeter7]

Hola, siempre estaba enamorada de Andalucía, pero Extremadura es mi nuevo preferido lugar. Qué lástima que muchos españoles deben trabajar y vivir en el Reino Unido o en Alemania, cuando ellos nacieron en un sitio mágico. Saludos desde Gran Bretaña, pero soy húngara

[@rayvogensen2983]

The acorn was the staple of the native people of California, where there was an abundance of oaks. One of the mainstays of the diet for the region was the acorn which was used in soup, porridge, and bread. Sixteen different species of oak provided the acorns. Because of the nutrition provided by acorns, the Native American people in California did not develop agriculture.

[@camebackcat1487]

Land of fruit and honey, no farming or ranching required.

[@carlbjorling6058]

I have lived in Spain for 3 years and I was very lucky to visit most of the regions and tried the highest quality traditional products. I just have to say that spanish products and cuisine are in a different level. I'm sad for all the people who will die without tasting these marvellous products... I miss you so much Spain... ❤

[@vivekp4854]

As an Indian I don't think I'm missing much. To me it just looks like raw pig meat. But I'm happy you guys enjoy it.

[@carlbjorling6058]

@@vivekp4854 there is a whole process to get to that point, and you cannot speak before tasting it. Saying it is like raw pig meat is like calling a good bottle of wine water with squeezed grapes. Spanish cuisine has something really special, which is the high quality of every product, specially meat and fish. You wont see a piece of meat or chiquen combined with 10 different spices mixed all together or very hot recipies that are actually tasteless... the ingredients are very little and they still get the best results, why?? Because again the level of the main product is very high. So why adding too many things to something that doesnt need them because it is already great on its own? Why destroying a high quality peace of food by mixing it with so many other products?? Maybe because it is not tasty enough on its own...

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

Build in hot grill at the dining table... that is genius! Jamon Bellota, grilled pork & good wine... I m so jelly

[@Emy53]

This ham is far better than Oscar Myer bacon we eat here in the U.S. Everything in Spain is fresh and natural.

[@clairemarshallsounddesign2110]

My friends at Dehesa de Cabeza Rubia also produce some of the best 100% Raza Jamon Iberico de Bellota in the whole of Spain. Their Dehesa was micro managed and completely organic. All of their pigs, including their sows lived free range even when suckling. Over 900 hectares of prime land near the Portugese border. Their Jamon is hands down, the best I've ever tasted. Along with their lamb. Ramón is a master breeder of all animals he has.

[@nazarets.3835]

Entre este y el vídeo del Valle del Jerte, ¡sois los mejores exportadores de Extremadura ever! :D 10/10👍

[@lenswork4]

Best in the world bar none. Spain has some amazing things like this. Thankfully, more people don’t know or it would be even MORE expensive and rare.

[@ErikaBlabar]

Would be amazing to see a video like this one but about the making of Manchego! 😍

[@IberianLife]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This guy is living the life I dreamed of. James, you need a stunt double!

[@jorgeguanche5327]

Jajajajaja yeeep.

[@spainrevealed]

Are you applying for the job?? Haha

[@IberianLife]

Yes. That and any other job you may have, hahaha! Where do I send my resume/CV?

[@lenswork4]

It’s also a true pleasure to see Yolly beaming with pride in her culture and cuisine. More Yolly!

[@mistreated]

Bravo! Looks delicious. Must be an omen. We’re at the Albuqurque NM airport on our way to Spain. Can’t wait till we land.

[@derdin8]

@mistreated - I also live in Albuquerque, NM...and I just went to Spain for New Year's! Have a great time!!

[@jacoboarca8516]

Albuquerque was one of the first cities the spaniards create in north América.

[@derdin8]

@@jacoboarca8516 Santa Fe is even older than Albuquerque! The Spanish explorers first reached what is now New Mexico in 1540. Santa Fe was established in 1610 and Albuquerque in 1706.

[@jacoboarca8516]

@@derdin8 the first one in north América, was San Agustín in Florida. The oldest city of North América.

[@pauldavis-cooke141]

I'm crying because I'm not there too. I get tired of saying, 'another great vid', but it really was. There is only one problem with Pata Negra jamon; to obtain it in England costs a fortune 😊. Thanks guys. Keep them coming.

[@ImNotADeeJay]

It is expensive in Spain too, a 5J ibérico can cost north of 600 euro

[@bernardber6750]

Very educational, thanks. Nice to see all the pigs and delicious cuts of meat. The video footage was very well done.

[@spainrevealed]

Thanks Bernard!

[@yoryep]

Love your videos guys :) As a Spaniard living abroad they are great to see as a mental substitute for the real thing, haha! Love the way you explain it and the passion you put into it

[@herimiguel]

“You’re my pata negra” Hahahahaha it’s pure love on this video

[@jaimegarcia9408]

Not only ham, the pig iberian produced a beff imprisive when presa, secreto, abanico etc and the best saucese in the world, chorizo, morcilla, caña de lomo, salchichón, butifarras, etc

[@mariagabbott]

It's so beautiful seeing those bigs roam wild in that beautiful landscape but also sad because they taste delicious and will be eventually eaten.

[@josephritchie90]

Amazing video as usual! You guys make the best videos about Spain!

[@paigeanderson387]

Find someone who looks at you with the same face James gets when he tastes the seared pork. XD Your channel just gets better and better. Can't wait for my first visit to Madrid in April!!!

[@alberto78hr]

Eso es Extremadura!!!

[@eduprado8155]

Ufff creo que es tu mejor vídeo hasta ahora.. como he salivado 🤤

[@encorelifeskills4364]

We prepared for our 2 week visit to Spain in Dec 2019 by watching your videos. Please keep posting them. We loved the Devour Tapas Crawl in Sevilla. Vale!

[@GreyOne]

Thank you very much for the appreciation and love showed for our country and culture in every video. If I ever have to move out to any other country I'll make sure of doing the same effort that you did so i can pay enough respects to whatever culture I'm living in. Though seeing you eat those chunks of meat and that delicious jamón it seems that is more a pleasure than an effort what you had to do hahaha.

[@leejeffrey3172]

Really excellent video.loved this topic.thanks James and Yolanda

[@VacationHacker]

I am binge watching ,you are producing amazing videos.So professional and packed with info and enthusiasm . OMG How lucky to have experienced that meal .Keep up the good work both of you .

[@glenmorris8389]

Thank you , James, for a BRILLIANT video. One of your best yet So educational.

[@arnoldhaijawi3623]

Hello from Austria ,i really wanna come to Spain and settle down in Madrid🇪🇸❤️

[@TurokAGH]

🇪🇸💪❤️🇦🇹 saludos desde España

[@danfot2425]

Go back

[@crf1853]

Me encanta el vídeo que habéis hecho. Muy interesante saber un poco más acerca del jamón ibérico.

[@matthewparrott8369]

Unbelievable vlog so informative thank you

[@bkm2797]

Fascinating excursion into the wonderful land of ham, lol. Never have I seen acorns that look like the ones there, and I was surprised when you and Yoli tried one, and I agree with her they are quite bitter. For some reason, I thought the pigs would be spotted, not sure where I got that idea. Wish I was with you two for the tasting, so I can only imagine for now. Wonderful video, Thank you.and looking forward to where we are going next.

[@CanalCursoMLearning]

Those are evergreen oaks (quercus illex) acorns.

[@bkm2797]

Fernando, Thank you! Here in the southern US, acorns are short and well rounded with a little cap on top, they too are quite bitter.

[@CanalCursoMLearning]

@@bkm2797 I don't think all kind of acorns are edible (at least raw), but I am not an expert. I have tried sometime this kind of acorns (I think they were roasted like chesnuts, I don't remember well).

[@bkm2797]

Fernando, (your name keeps reminding me of Abba, so the song keeps playing in my head, lol). Can't say I'm a fan when it comes to Chestnuts, they have a mealy texture and little flavor, but I know others love them. Roasted or not, I would imagine a bitter result when acorns are on the menu.

[@LaughterCigar]

Actually, the most exclusive jamón legs come from a breed called "Manchado de Jabugo" (Jabugo Spotted), which are exclusive to the Huelva region, and like the name suggests, are spotted :) Some of the most expensive jamón comes from that breed.

[@dailynaquino29]

Wow the edit of this video was amazing. Can only imagine what was it like to live that experience. Ya quisiera yo estar ahí! Que hambre.

[@robertmenghini.Lambomad]

Love your videos, fantastico!

[@lisaturner6974]

Oh my yum! Am now starving and drooling 🤤

[@DK-vn7lr]

One of the foods I truly love. Not easy to find the good stuff in the states but it's doable. Ate it everyday when I was in Paris, can't wait to have some in Spain.

[@egocelatrixcelatrix2514]

Wow! Great job.

[@alexisflores7770]

This is a dream; can’t wait to visit Spain some day!

[@volodymyrcuza9994]

Hi James and Yoly:) I always wanted to know what exactly Jamón Iberico means and you did it in a very informative and entertaining way with attention to details! Great work!

[@spainrevealed]

Thanks Volodymr!

[@volodymyrcuza9994]

You're very welcome!:) I'm personally very interested in such videos, but I also realize that they require quite a lot of efforts and expenses and the view statistics might not be high enough.

[@coldchorizo9088]

1 AM watching this in Arizona wishing I had this for the prep work I have in the morning cheers brother

[@vodkalima]

Love the video, very well explained and excellent content.

[@spainrevealed]

Thank you!!

[@courtcomposer]

Great job James.

[@mrickling]

How is it that you keep on outdoing yourself with these videos? Bravo James!

[@fsa7312]

Me encanta veros comer, vosotros si habeis entendido el sentido de la vida, gracias, desde Madrid

[@falcon3s872]

Wow. This is art of food experience.

[@SpainishBlood]

Great video!. This brings back so many wonderful memories. You need to show how and why we use a Perron. Love your channel. Thank you.

[@dylanzito]

Nice job James......Great video

[@andrewb4556]

Hola James Amazing! Thanks, can't wait for November to visit Barcelona and Spain Australia

[@acspeter7]

Thanks for your fantastic videos. During the lockdown, in the UK, I am watching La casa de papel and your informative and entertaining videos.😁Saludos desde una fan húngara de Gran Bretaña ❤️🇪🇦

[@diegocebrian6292]

Antes de nada, felicitaros por el aumento increíble en la calidad de los reportajes, el ritmo, los planos... se ve genial. Por aportar una denominación de origen mucho menos conocida, pero igualmente deliciosa, en el norte de Córdoba hay una comarca llamada el Valle de Los Pedroches, donde la calidad de sus ibéricos les mereció denominación de origen (Los Pedroches). Una cooperativa (COVAP) que comenzó explotando el sector lácteo, es la principal comercializadora de estos ibéricos. Te sugiero que los pruebes, seguro que te fascinan. También proceden de cerdos ibéricos criados en encinares.

[@catherinemori4539]

Wow! Yoly and you are fantastic! Gracias...only 27 days till Madrid!

[@rayvogensen2983]

Alburquerque is a town in the province of Badajoz in Spain. It has 5,600 inhabitants. It is very close to the border with Portugal and was an ancient dominion of the kings of that country. The origin of the name of the town is uncertain. It is believed to stem from Latin, alba quercus, or "the white oak". Its sister city of Albuquerque in the United States takes its name from this town (but note the spelling difference: the lack of the 'r' after the first 'u').

[@alisonlongworth7827]

This is the best day ever!

[@1rcrc]

Awesome foods... makes me want to go back to Spain ASAP.

[@scottie934]

Great video.

[@bobm5500]

Blicky , The best video yet !

[@johnlee55555]

we were just there last month eating bellota....and I feel sad watching this video. I miss it very much! Best ham in the world!!!

[@lanocheoscura1995]

Well done!!!

[@spainrevealed]

Gracias!!

[@rickhiggins]

I'm drooling!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great story a very interesting video loved the story, interesting it’s so close to Portugal.

[@johnnymathis4044]

Outstanding

[@stxfignerd8497]

My wife & I will be visiting Spain in June. We fly into to Lisbon for a couple of days, then Granada and then to Valencia and end our trip in Madrid. We can’t wait

[@jorgemoyano1728]

Madrid in summer is hell on hearth, try not to melt

[@juneliv4592]

La denominación de jamón de bellota de Jabugo se debe al mismo nombre ,es decir, Jabujo es un pueblo de Huelva y de ahí el nombre

[@gerardom4657]

Pero que liiiiiista

[@juneliv4592]

@@gerardom4657 Entérate que algunos en este video que son extranjeros no tienen ni idea. Listooooo

[@gerardom4657]

@@juneliv4592 aaaaaa, que son extranjeros, si no fuera por ti que sería de nosotros. Extranjeros? De dónde? Entenderán tu explicación?

[@juneliv4592]

@@gerardom4657 fijate en la mayoría de los comentarios que son en inglés, los ingleses no tienen ni idea, por lo tanto la explicación no va para ti que eres muy listo y un toca las pelotas

[@gerardom4657]

@@juneliv4592 y por qué no se lo dices en inglés?

[@ProEdeo]

Lovely gastro-experience!

[@camfresco]

Hi, there! How are you, gorgeous people? I have recently found and hopelessly fallen in love with your incredible videos and your lovely and friendly charisma. You both make a terrific couple! I like you to bits! This videos about the best Spanish ham pulled a cord on me since I was born in Badajoz city. Alburquerque is around 40 km from it and I have been there few times with friends. It is a really nice village. I have been living abroad for over 20 years now and it was such a great memory and wonderful to see the land where I came from featured in one of truly engaging productions. I am extremelly happy that you both enjoyed the place, the people, the land and specially its food... My mouth was watering big time with that hearty and evangelical diner in such a rustic house. Even though Spain has countless smashing spots it would be fantastic if you could please go back to forgotten Extremadura and do more takes from its myriad of little secret corners. Needless to say that you got my attention (and my partner too) and I will continue watching your content which I find really fresh, flipping brilliant and funny. Heaps of Venga, Julio (Camfresco)

[@Periskop1]

And the lisping over the tray of cured meats spays just the desired amount of spittle to compliment the delicate mouth watering flavours.:-D YUM

[@mandylavida]

That bitterness is like that in coffee which is why they make such a good coffee substitute. The acorns the pigs eat are a variety that are much sweeter than others.

[@jsm9069]

¿Te has comido un trozo de bellota con cascara? Qué crack!

[@acspeter7]

Your videos are as informative and on a high level as Rick Steve's travelling programmes, y sois súper simpáticos, I love you guys❤️🍊🥝

[@James-ig1vp]

Locura !! Tienes tan suerte . Money can buy that experience. I like the lil Spanish flag u have on your jacket 😂😂🇪🇦 ole. Great video enjoyed listening and learning from you and thanks yolanda for filming it !

[@crf1853]

Muchas gracias por el link de “La tienda” ahora se adonde comprar aquí en USA.

[@goodboybuddy1]

James, you’re drunk on hamon! Haha!!! Great show.

[@welshtoro3256]

Wow, what a fantastic experience. I can vouch for how good those pork steaks are. I go to a restaurant in Alhama de Granada that does Iberico steak and it is amazing. It has a fantastic, rustic, menu but it's hard to resist that Iberico steak. Bravo for going through the entire process and reminding people how good the other products are from these top producers.

[@anacasanova7350]

La buena comida española, es la rústica, la del pueblo, la sencilla, la de buena calidad de productos sencillos, como la tortilla española, la paella, el jamón, las carnes rojas, ternera o buey a la placha o guisada, los pescados y mariscos, las hortalizas y las frutas, todo ello poco manipulado. Con pocas especies para no camuflar el sabor y calidad de los alimentos.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@anacasanova7350 Totally agree Ana. A few years ago I had a pretty disappointing meal at a Michelin Star restaurant in Bilbao. The next day my father in law took me to a fantastic Basque restaurant in Gipuzkoa in a great farmhouse. We had fresh bread and a huge turbot caught that day and it was fantastic. Real food and hospitality. I like the Spanish creativity but real Spanish food is just as you say. WT

[@clusterguard]

what a luxury & privilege!!

[@juliablick6404]

I wish I was there!!

[@carlbjorling6058]

For me that last traditional place where they go to eat is the most similar to heaven.

[@ignaciosanchezdemedina3630]

Eres un afortunado, Calidad 100X100

[@patrickboriau3920]

Love your reports, hopefully there will also come from Malaga and Granada

[@aliciar2678]

I've never wanted to be somewhere so badly!

[@beltxabeltxa]

Nice place, never been there

[@tonydeltablues]

James: I do believe you are living the dream - the jamon dream :-)

[@ivancruz747]

I wish I was there!!!!!

[@sugarpop7377]

I woke up thinking about you two thinking Ooh I haven't seen any videos of James and Yoli since the one where you stayed at the haunted Parador. Good morning !

[@spainrevealed]

Happy to help!

[@johncullen429]

James you need to get on the Travel channel, Food network , Etc.... get on the TV..... you have it.

[@vigodrakken7916]

" You're My Pata Negra" ?? 😅 really?!?

[@csongorkakuk5871]

Very informative and very well executed video, James, I loved it! Although undercooked/ raw pork is generally considered dangerous for human consumption, I've recently had the opportunity to taste Hungarian "mangalica" pork (I live in Hungary) for the first time. It was very high quality meat prepared by a professional chef, and it was "underdone" just the way you show it in the video. While the texture of not-cooked-through meat is GREATLY unappetizing to me, I have to admit that the flavour was extraordinary. Too bad eating mangalica is a luxury most of us cannot allow themselves for more than once or twice a lifetime.

[@Alberto-bj9cl]

Se te ha puesto cara de español cuando has probado el jamón 😉

[@pamwolf609]

I suspect the Mulefoot pigs in the US derived from Iberian stock. Similar appearance, selected for ham production. Great taste too!

[@atm4292]

Life is good! So is jamon iberico.

[@JoseRodriguez-bi6ix]

The show is Curb your enthusiasm... James: You're my black foot... Yoly: Of course 🤣🤣🤣

[@ruthcr8839]

Jamón Maldonado! Olé 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

[@areyoukind1955]

I knew I should've taken that left turn at Albuquerque

[@mar_casabuena7503]

Hungry... 😋😋 De verdad que tenemos un país para comérselo. Muchos besos y abrazos guapos. La bellota está buena es un poco dulce, el problema es que tiene un regusto amargo y te deja la boca rasposa. Viva mi querida España. Un tren decente ya para Extremadura.

[@carmelopecina]

Mejor que muchos vídeos locales.

[@spainrevealed]

Gracias!!

[@Jaytlegend]

Was that guy Luis the same Luis in the ham shop close to Sol and Mayor? Weve been there!!!🤗🤗

[@pablor.cuadrado5464]

Yes he is, wonderful shop

[@battlecatsubernoob1924]

I just wanna pet them, they are so cute!

[@ToastandJam52]

OK you win. I'm hungry!!!