“Encinares del Sur”, from the PDO Los Pedroches, Best Iberico Bellota Ham of 2016

The first edition of the Food Awards of Spain to the Best Ham 2016, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (MAPAMA) has been awarded with the award, in the category of 100% Iberian acorn ham, “Encinares del Sur” of the PDO Los Pedroches, presented by Dehesas Reunidas, SL, Belmez (Córdoba).

In the “Serrano Ham or other Recognized Quality Figures” category, has been awarded the “Serrano Jam Female Hound”, of the ETG Serrano Ham, presented by Nico Jamones, S.L., Ciudad Real

In the call for these awards, which are included this year for the first time in the “Food Awards of Spain”, 43 producers participated with 18 pieces of ham of the first modality and 25 of the second.

The Ministry wants with this recognition to promote quality ham and improve its image and position in the markets.

Selection Procedure

For the sample selection procedure, the Ministry has had the collaboration of the IRTA (Public Institute for Research and Agri-Food Technology of the Generalitat de Catalunya) in the organization and logistics of sample reception and sensory evaluation sessions. Evaluations that have been carried out by expert tasters of the IRTA as well as the Service of Analysis and Innovation in Food of Animal Origin of the University of Extremadura (SIPA), and others proposed by the sector, all of them of recognized prestige.

In all the process, as usual in the “Food Awards of Spain” in all its modalities, the traceability and anonymity of the samples has been guaranteed. The sensorial evaluation has two stages: visual to evaluate the external appearance and the cut and smell-gustatory aspect that allows to recognize the aroma, taste, texture and other sensations in the mouth, persistence and residual taste and the overall impression.

The awards will be presented at a public event called for this purpose.

Source: MAPAMA