Jamón Dehesa de Extremadura

Dehesa de Extremadura is a PDO covering dry-cured hams and shoulder hams produced in Extremadura, Spain, from Iberian pigs reared and fattened on the dehesa. Products are classified into four classes according to the animals' breed purity and diet, ranging from pure-bred Iberian acorn-fed to cross-bred Iberian pastured, fodder-fattened.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-ES-0076 and granted EU protection on 21 June 1996, Dehesa de Extremadura covers hams and shoulder hams produced within the provinces of Cáceres and Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain. The designation is managed by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Protegida 'Dehesa de Extremadura'. All stages of pig rearing, fattening, and product processing must take place within the defined geographical area. Eligible animals are either Iberian pure-bred pigs or cross-bred pigs with 75% Iberian blood. The specification defines two feeding regimes: acorn-fed pigs, which feed exclusively on acorns, grasses, and other natural dehesa resources with no supplementary feed, and pastured, fodder-fattened pigs, which are finished on pasture for at least 90 days before slaughter with supplementary feed composed primarily of grains and legumes. These two regimes, combined with breed purity, produce four product classes. Minimum weights are set at 5.75 kg for hams and 4 kg for shoulder hams. The dehydration index requires a maximum water content of 50% at the surface and 55% at the core, and sodium chloride must not exceed 5%. Protected products must carry an identification label bearing the words 'D.O.P "Dehesa de Extremadura"' and the product class.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-ES-0076; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012952.
• Four product classes are defined by two variables: breed purity (pure-bred Iberian or 75% Iberian blood) and diet (acorn-fed or pastured, fodder-fattened).
• Acorn-fed pigs must gain at least 52 kg feeding exclusively on dehesa resources and spend a minimum of over 60 days on the dehesa before slaughter at an age of at least 14 months.
• All labelled products must bear the words 'D.O.P "Dehesa de Extremadura"' and the product class on the identification label.

Tasting notes

Extremaduran Iberian dry-cured ham from Badajoz-Cáceres dehesa (oak meadows), from Iberian pigs raised in dehesa with Bellota grade for premium tier. Aged 18-30+ months. Deep ruby meat with marbled fat, dense firm texture, intensely savory flavor with characteristic dehesa-acorn complexity.

HoReCa use

Premium Iberian ham service; with regional cheeses (Torta del Casar); pairs with Pacharán, Sherry.

Packaging

• Same as Jabugo