Eating Ham Is The New Health Experience

Eating ham is no longer considered as something that is unhealthy to eat and it is a wonderful gastronomic treat that we can indulge on once in a while without feeling guilty about its bad effects to our health.

As with any kind of food, it should be eaten in moderation. It becomes hazardous to our health when it is more than what we need. Overindulgence in certain types of food can lead to diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and other heart diseases. An exemption to this is the Iberian ham or Jamon Iberico which considered as a healthy food product that can slow down the development of heart diseases. This unique Spanish ham is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid which helps to increase good cholesterol or high density lipoproteins and decreases bad cholesterol or low density lipoproteins that causes the build up of plaques in the arteries that leads to a stroke or heart attacks.

The reason for this odd component found in Jamon Iberico Bellota is that the hogs are fed on a diet that is composed only of acorns. The long and complex curing process causes chemical changes in the meat that converts the acorns or "bellotas" into antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Bellota ham is the most prized ham in Spain and it is one of the most coveted hams in the world. It has a very unique taste and texture that is sought after by many people around the world.

The kind of pigs that produce it is what makes this ham so special. Iberian ham is made only from the finest species of Iberian pigs that are found only in the Iberian Peninsula and they bear the distinctive black hooves that are present only in their species. These pigs are treated in a very different way than other pigs found in Europe. They are bred in special pastures dotted with oak trees and they are free to roam around until it is time for them to be slaughtered. They are truly organic products because they only feed on acorns, grasses, and herbs that are found around the pasture.

The unique curing process the meat causes chemical reactions that bring about the formation of essential fatty acids and antioxidants from the plants that the pigs forage on. The long and arduous process of curing gives the ham its unique texture and flavour that characteristic to this Spanish ham.

Ham is usually served only during Christmas and thanksgiving in some countries. In Spain, people enjoy ham everyday as it is a well known fact that the Spaniards are also the biggest consumers of this rare and expensive ham. Jamon Iberico of Spain is likened to the caviar of Russia as Kobe beef is of Japan. Now that you know that this special kind of ham is actually healthy for you, i think it is time that you should also add it to your meals.