Best Cured Meat Types in the World
This variety of Iberian ham is produced with meat coming from acorn-fed Iberian pigs that are either 75% or 50% pure Iberian breed, meaning they have been crossbred with other pigs such as the Duroc breed. As in the case of jamón 100% ibérico de bellota, the pigs used in the production of this ham are allowed to roam freely across the oak pasturelands in their final rearing stage, known as the montanera, eating an acorn-based diet until they reach the desired weight for the sacrifice, or the matanza as the Spanish call it. Jamón ibérico de bellota makes for about 13% of the total Iberian ham production and is distinguished by a red label.
The designated areas of Iberian bellota ham production include the Dehesa de Extremadura, Salamanca, Huelva, and Valle de Los Pedroches in Spain, along with Barrancos in Portugal.
THE BEST Jamón ibérico de bellota Jamones
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Regarded as the most exquisite variety of Iberian ham, or jamón ibérico, this ham is made with the meat of 100% purebred black Iberian pigs that have been roaming freely across oak pastures (Dehesa) and feeding on an acorn-based (bellota) diet.
Apart from these specifications, the pigs also have to be reared in one of the designated places of origin as well as fulfill the specified standards of bellota ham production to receive the most renowned black label or pata negra status - denoting the highest-quality Iberian ham.
THE BEST Jamón 100% ibérico de bellota Jamones
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Ibérico Covac
Jamón de Bellota 100% Ibérico Alta Expresión D.O.P de Los Pedroches
Superior Taste Awards - 3 stars 2024
Jamón Ibérico is a unique ham produced both in Spain and in Portugal. It is made from black ibérico pigs who eat a diet of corn, acorns, and other feed, most of them roaming freely across the pastures. As a result, the cured ham is dark red, marbled with veins of fat.
Its flavor is sweet, nutty, and just slightly salty. There are four types of jamón ibérico, depending on the diet of the pigs, namely de bellota (acorns, three years minimum), 100% de bellota, cebo de campo (cereals, free-range pigs), and de cebo (cereals, commercially reared pigs).
VARIATIONS OF Jamón Ibérico
Carefully crafted with the same diligent care since the Roman times, Prosciutto di Parma is a true masterwork of time and tradition, and a gold standard of Italian prosciutto. The pigs of the Large White, Landrace and Duroc breed used in the production of this ham must also meet high quality standards, be bred in one of 10 northern and central Italian regions and fed a diet of grains, cereals and whey of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which contributes to the complex taste of the meat.
Apart from the characteristic microclimate of the Parma region, which is ideal for the drying of prosciutto, a vital part of the curing process is salting. The expert Maestro Salatore (salt master) measures the minimum amount of sea salt required to preserve the meat.
THE BEST Prosciutto di Parma Dry-cured Hams
Produced in the hilly area around the town of San Daniele in the province of Udine, Prosciutto di San Daniele is even sweeter and darker in color with a more delicate flavor than in other varieties. In the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, where the winds from the Carnic Alps meet the breezes coming in from the Adriatic, Prosciutto di San Daniele is made using only local sea salt.
The curing process here differs a little from other regions since San Daniele hams are stacked on top of each other and left to mature for at least 13 months. Up until recently, only large pig breeds such as Landrace, Large White and Duroc were used for ham production, however due to an increase in demand, San Daniele hams can now be made with other local breeds.
Known as crème de la crème of Italian hams, with a tradition dating back to the 14th century, Culatello di Zibello is one of the most prized products of Parma nowadays made only with pigs raised in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia.
Culatello is tender, rich in flavor and has a refined, winey taste. It is one of the leaner forms of cured pork, cut from the best part of the whole fresh ham, and cured with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic and dry white wine. Since it is stuffed in a natural casing, most often a pig's bladder, and tied with twine, Culatello is sometimes classified as a type of salami.
Njeguška pršuta is a prosciutto variety originating from the area of Njeguši in Montenegro, hence the name. Pork ham is traditionally salted with sea salt, pressed in order to remove excess liquid, then smoked and dried in the cool mountain air, after which it is left to mature, so the whole process typically takes about a year.
The meat is smoked over beech wood, imparting a unique flavor and aroma to this delicacy. When fully matured, this meat product is thinly sliced and can be paired with anything from cheese and bread to salads and pasta dishes.
Alentejo ham is a regional specialty made from the legs and shoulders of Alentejo pigs produced in the districts of Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Évora, Beja, Setubal, and Faro. These areas typically have hot and dry summers and cold winters.
Throughout the centuries, the residents of these regions learned to work with this climate to develop a natural drying process for ham that does not resort to the use of smoke or any other external factors besides the addition of salt. When cut, the ham is reddish-pink to dark red and highly marbled.
Jamón Serrano is a cured ham produced using the traditional methods dating back to Roman times. This ham has a bright pink to purple color and shiny appearance when cut. This ham is made in four separate steps that include salting, washing, post-salting, and drying or maturation.
Jamón Serrano is cured and dried without skin for more than a year and has a delicate and characteristic aroma. Not much salt is used during the production of this emblematic ham, which makes it only slightly salty and brings out sweet notes that complement the flavor beautifully.
THE BEST Jamón Serrano Jamones
Named after a village nestled in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Nature Park, in the northern part of the Andalusian province of Huelva, Jabugo is a variety of the popular Spanish Ibérico ham or shoulder ham made from the meat of the pure-bred Iberian pig or cross-breed of the local Manchado de Jabugo pig, with at least 75 % Iberian blood.
The unique metabolism of these animals allows their fat to integrate into the muscles, evenly marbling the meat, which results in the distinctive flavor and juiciness of each ham. Reared in the so-called 'dehesas', agro-forested lands used primarily for grazing, sparsely wooded with holm and cork oaks, Iberian pigs gorge on acorns which give the meat a particularly sweet and nutty flavor.
Best Cured Meat Producers in the World
Beher (Bernardo Hernández) is a distinguished Spanish company specializing in 100% Iberian pork products, including hams, shoulders, loins, and sausages. Their offerings are crafted from purebred Iberian pigs, raised in an ideal environment to ensure premium quality.
Beher maintains full control over the production process, from breeding to commercialization, ensuring the highest standards. They also offer an ecological line of products, emphasizing natural ingredients and traditional curing methods.
BEST Beher Meat Products
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Entrepeñas Meat Products
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd is a producer of cured meats based in Dorset, England. The company specializes in traditional and artisan charcuterie. It uses locally sourced meats, often from free-range and rare-breed animals. The curing process includes both air-drying and smoking techniques.
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd has received multiple awards for the quality of its products.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2022, 2021
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023, 2021
BEST Capreolus Fine Foods Meat Products
Tempus Foods is a British producer of cured meats founded by Dhruv Baker and Tom Whitaker. They specialize in traditional charcuterie techniques, offering a range of products including air-dried and cured meats. The company emphasizes the use of high-quality heritage breed pigs.
Their products are known for being made with natural ingredients and without artificial additives.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Tempus Foods Meat Products
COREN, Industrias Frigorificas del Louro S. A. is a key player in the food industry and operates from Pontevedra, Spain. The company is part of the COREN Group, which is an agricultural cooperative. COREN specializes in the production of a variety of cured meats and other meat products.
Their headquarters are located in Ourense, Galicia, but they have significant operations including Industrias Frigorificas del Louro S. A. in Pontevedra.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Coren _ Industrias Frigorificas Del Louro S.a. Coren, S.c.g Oficinas Centrales Meat Products
Rooftop Smokehouse is a culinary venture that specializes in traditional smoking methods to produce a variety of smoked seafood products. The company operates from a rooftop setting where they sustainably source and handcraft their offerings, emphasizing quality and artisanal techniques.
The smokehouse is also known for its commitment to using natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Additionally, they offer workshops and events to educate consumers about the smoking process and the intricacies of seafood preparation.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Rooftop Smokehouse Seafoods
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Maison Duculty Meat Products
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Productos Cárnicos El Castro Meat Products
Santa Rosalía Gourmet S. L. specializes in producing high-quality cured meats. The company is known for its focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Santa Rosalía Gourmet S. L. uses traditional techniques to produce its range of products, which often includes chorizo and other cured sausages.
They also emphasize the importance of animal welfare in their production processes.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Santa Rosalía Gourmet Meat Products
Best Cured Meats in the World
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
Durslade Farm Air Dried Beef is a premium product made by Artfarm Ltd t/a Durslade Farm Shop. This specialty beef undergoes a meticulous air-drying process, which enhances its flavor and texture. Renowned for its rich taste and delicate marbling, this beef is often enjoyed as a gourmet delicacy.
The air-drying technique also ensures that the beef maintains its nutritional quality while providing a unique, chewy texture that is characteristic of high-end, cured meats. Each slice offers a deep, concentrated flavor, suitable for charcuterie boards or as an exquisite addition to various culinary dishes.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd. specializes in crafting Dorset Coppa, a traditional Italian charcuterie made from the neck muscle of free-range pigs. The meat is cured with a blend of herbs and spices before being air-dried for several weeks to develop its characteristic depth of flavor and tender texture.
The Dorset Coppa is praised for its delicate balance of savory and slightly sweet notes, making it a sought-after delicacy among food enthusiasts. The product is meticulously crafted to maintain high standards of quality and authenticity.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
The IBERICO ACORN-FED HAM (50% IBERIAN BREED) by Carnicas Ibericas Mozarbez SL t/a Ibericos Montellano is a premium cured ham made from pigs that are 50% of the Iberian breed. This product is distinguished by its rich, nutty flavor and silky texture, which result from the pigs' diet predominantly consisting of acorns during the montanera period.
The hams are carefully cured over an extended period, often over two years, using traditional methods that enhance their unique characteristics. The meticulous curing process results in a product with a distinct marbling of fat that melts in the mouth, delivering a complex and savory taste experience.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Meat Product
Coren _ Industrias Frigorificas Del Louro S.a. Coren, S.c.g Oficinas Centrales Coren Selecta Chestnut-fed Boneless Ham
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Meat Product
Coren _ Industrias Frigorificas Del Louro S.a. Coren, S.c.g Oficinas Centrales Coren Selecta Chestnut-fed Ham
The Coren Selecta Chestnut-Fed Ham is a premium product crafted by COREN _ Industrias Frigorificas del Louro S. A., a prominent Spanish company known for its high-quality meat products. This ham is distinguished by the unique feeding regimen of the pigs, which are raised on a diet that includes chestnuts, contributing to the ham's distinct flavor profile.
The careful selection of chestnut-fed pigs and traditional curing methods result in a rich and nuanced taste. This product exemplifies COREN's commitment to excellence in food production and the application of artisanal techniques to modern-day meat processing.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Cecina de León BIO Entrepeñas is a premium dry-cured beef product crafted by ENTREPEÑAS S. L. This delicacy hails from the León region in Spain and is noted for its distinctive flavor and high-quality standards. The product is made using traditional methods that have been preserved and passed down through generations, ensuring an authentic taste experience.
The beef used is sourced from organic, free-range cattle, emphasizing a commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. The curing process involves a meticulous combination of salting, smoking, and air-drying, resulting in a rich, smoky flavor and a tender texture.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Cured Meats in the World” list until February 19, 2025, 5,707 ratings were recorded, of which 3,703 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.