Episode 26: In Madrid at the Museo del Jamon (The Ham Museum)
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"There is a special black pig from Iberia that lives a sweet life fattening up on acorns in the wild. The acorns ('bellota' in Spanish) cause a chemical change during the aging. It changes the fats to the good kind (like olive oil) and makes it taste *amazing*! The aging takes place high in the mountains, open-air, and takes more than two years. It is called jamon (ham) iberico (Iberian) de bellota (of acorns). Expensive, but you can get a good sample (a couple ounces) for a fair price." (Comment from iburnbrass from YouTube)
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Marc...Sign me up for your first culinary tour. I'm serious man. Wouldn't people love to visit places with you and share your appreciation for food? Eric
my dad used to smuggle in an entire jamon serrano in the diplomatic pouch into Pakistan when we lived there...no ham in islamic countries! I have fond memories and to this day think of him when I buy proscuitto at wholefoods
I'm in Lima for 10 days - I'll see if they eat jamon here.
I can't imagine that there aren't various forms of cured swine there. I love the image of your day smuggling an entire jamon into Pakistan in his diplomatic pouch. I always think of people smuggling things OUT of Pakistan, not in.
It reminds me of how my mom used to smuggled saucisson into the states for me when I was a wee little boy. In those days you couldn't find good French sausage anywhere in the states...or so she said!
So, what the lovely lady told you was that the price and quality depend on what the pig eats. Ham fed on acorns (bellotas) is more expensive because it has less fat. But Francis says it's not about more or less fat, but how the fat is distributed. The price is also affected by where the pig comes from - different regions are known for better pigs. And then there is the type of pig - the "pata negra" (black foot) is supposed to be very good.
It is, indeed, a science!
I didn't realize that Colleen was with you. Have lots of fun! There are some very nice bars on the corners of Calle Jesus and Calle Lope de Vega (over near the Prado, off Las Huertas). La Dolores, I think, is the beautiful old one, but there are cheaper, good ones nearby.
what a wonderful thing to come home to....
hanging out in Madrid for a few minutes...
listening to spanish...
the locals.... love the tights... and I especially love the name Paola
and the ham was good too!
I've just come back from a stag do in Madrid and our favourtie place was this Ham Museum - what a great place...although we mostly enjoyed the cervezas for €1! I think the idea of a deli and a bar together should be in every city though!
Josh - OK...I know I shouldn't say it but I'M JEALOUS!
I love the ham museum but there are so many other spots...that is what I love about Madrid. I can eat my breakfast ham at the museum and then lunch ham and dinner ham in other spots.
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Marc...Sign me up for your first culinary tour. I'm serious man. Wouldn't people love to visit places with you and share your appreciation for food? Eric
Posted by: Eric | 05/25/2010 at 09:35 PM
Eric, I'm not sure I'd be so much fun with anyone but you and a handful of a few close friends with.
What I really want to try though is my own TV show....now that would be fun. Miss ya tons my friend....always seem to say that don't I?
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/25/2010 at 10:29 PM
mmmmmm, or more appropriately, haaaaammmmmmmm :o)
Posted by: Sharon | 05/26/2010 at 05:50 AM
Very funny Sharon...hammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)
I really can't believe how amazing those beautiful animals are. They give us so much. More than any other meat I think.
I'm actually getting my hands on one next spring and am going to cure my own jamon, make pate and sausage. Can't wait!
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/26/2010 at 06:49 AM
my dad used to smuggle in an entire jamon serrano in the diplomatic pouch into Pakistan when we lived there...no ham in islamic countries! I have fond memories and to this day think of him when I buy proscuitto at wholefoods
I'm in Lima for 10 days - I'll see if they eat jamon here.
...Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Keller Jackson | 05/26/2010 at 11:57 AM
Hey Jennifer - Lima....work of pleasure?
I can't imagine that there aren't various forms of cured swine there. I love the image of your day smuggling an entire jamon into Pakistan in his diplomatic pouch. I always think of people smuggling things OUT of Pakistan, not in.
It reminds me of how my mom used to smuggled saucisson into the states for me when I was a wee little boy. In those days you couldn't find good French sausage anywhere in the states...or so she said!
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/26/2010 at 12:01 PM
So, what the lovely lady told you was that the price and quality depend on what the pig eats. Ham fed on acorns (bellotas) is more expensive because it has less fat. But Francis says it's not about more or less fat, but how the fat is distributed. The price is also affected by where the pig comes from - different regions are known for better pigs. And then there is the type of pig - the "pata negra" (black foot) is supposed to be very good.
It is, indeed, a science!
I didn't realize that Colleen was with you. Have lots of fun! There are some very nice bars on the corners of Calle Jesus and Calle Lope de Vega (over near the Prado, off Las Huertas). La Dolores, I think, is the beautiful old one, but there are cheaper, good ones nearby.
Posted by: Nina | 05/26/2010 at 12:10 PM
Ahhhhh....now I get it Nina. TOTALLY COOL!
Gregoire, Fanny, Leslie - Do you know what the deal is in France? Is it the same as what Nina mentioned?
Sharon and Sarah and Ian - What about in the UK?
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/26/2010 at 12:12 PM
I think the jamón Iberico is from pigs that have only eaten acorns!
Posted by: Kevin Donegan | 05/26/2010 at 05:21 PM
Right on Kevin. Bellotas! Francis, Nina's husband, mentioned in her comment that "it's not about more or less fat, but how the fat is distributed."
I have no idea what the heck that means. Francis? Nina? Anyone?
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/26/2010 at 07:43 PM
Sorry Marc, no idea about the UK - haven't eaten the stuff for 25 years...
Posted by: Ian Runeckles | 05/27/2010 at 02:51 AM
Ian...25 years! I'm not sure if I should congratulate you or berate you.
Posted by: Marc Osten | 05/27/2010 at 09:20 AM
Great to have read what you have just written! Nice thoughts! Thanks and hoping to read more from you. Keep the posts coming!
Posted by: Multivitamins | 08/04/2010 at 02:39 AM
Thanks James (Multivitamins)
Posted by: Marc Osten | 08/04/2010 at 09:21 AM
what a wonderful thing to come home to....
hanging out in Madrid for a few minutes...
listening to spanish...
the locals.... love the tights... and I especially love the name Paola
and the ham was good too!
Posted by: Liz Hare | 03/22/2011 at 02:53 PM
I've just come back from a stag do in Madrid and our favourtie place was this Ham Museum - what a great place...although we mostly enjoyed the cervezas for €1! I think the idea of a deli and a bar together should be in every city though!
Posted by: Josh Hoole | 03/30/2011 at 03:02 PM
Tell me about it Liz. Not many days pass that I don't dream about standing at the counter....reading, looking, tasting...
Posted by: Marc Osten | 04/06/2011 at 10:16 AM
Josh - OK...I know I shouldn't say it but I'M JEALOUS!
I love the ham museum but there are so many other spots...that is what I love about Madrid. I can eat my breakfast ham at the museum and then lunch ham and dinner ham in other spots.
Posted by: Marc Osten | 04/06/2011 at 10:18 AM