The cure masters at Fermín are committed to producing hams of the highest quality and are now offering the world’s only USDA Certified Organic Ibérico de Bellota hams and shoulders. This excellent paleta is marbled with rich acorn-flavored fat that melts in the mouth. All natural and nitrate free, this Ibérico de Bellota shoulder is made simply of Ibérico pork and salt.

The best way to taste Ibérico de Bellota shoulder at its finest is to cut thin slices from a whole bone-in paleta. Serve on a warm plate and a bottle of good Spanish wine.

This paleta comes from 100% pure-breed Ibérico pigs that live their entire lives on open pasture, grazing on wild herbs, grasses and sweet acorns (‘bellotas’). The acorns are full of antioxidants, which allow the ham to be cured for years with very little salt.

Because the paleta (front shoulder) is smaller than a ham, it cures more quickly than a larger jamón (about a year versus two to four years for a ham). While the flavor is outstanding, it can be slightly more difficult to carve than the jamón (back leg). The ultimate of flavor is a longer aged whole jamón.

Fermín is a small family curing house based in the picturesque mountain village of La Alberca. As the seasons come and go, the Fermín ham master opens and closes shutters in the curing house to regulate the fresh mountain air. Meanwhile, complex chemical changes create the flavor compounds that make these paletas so exceptional.

When you receive your Organic Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, remove the wrapping and allow it to breathe in a cool, dry place. You can safely store the ham this way for months. A small amount of harmless mold may appear on the surface; simply wipe it away with a clean cloth and a bit of sunflower oil. When you are ready to enjoy your ham, secure it in a ham holder so that you can safely slice it with a sharp jamón knife. See our website for slicing instructions

More from our supplier Fermín:

We are very proud of our organic family, made with extra care just for you. Our organic Ibérico pigs are raised in freedom, in 100% Organic Farms certified based on a production system that uses farm's resources, including but not limited to soil fertility and biological activity. We minimize the use of non-renewable resources and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are not used.

Our pigs are fed on certified organic cereals and, when they reach 175-195 pounds (80- 90 kg), they are feed exclusively on acorns and natural pastures.

The production of our organic Ibérico products are carried out on a separate line from the rest of traditional Ibérico products.

Our manufacturing process has an organic certification with zero residue of genetically modified organisms. Organic Fermin Ibérico is free of artificial additives/preservatives and nitrates/nitrites.

This exceptional natural process makes our finest and most luxurious Ibérico pork meat, an exquisite gem.

For storage and slicing instructions for whole hams, see this page.

NOTE: Hoof has been removed to conform to USDA standards.