Reasons behind this special ham.
There are several clear reasons why the hams of Montánchez are unique and unparalleled: the area’s climate, the special way the animals from which they derive are bred and the way they are made.
They are unique because they derive from pigs bred exclusively in Extremadura. These animals are perfectly adapted to the ecosystem of the Dehesa and, from a young age, their diet is based on aliments found there: acorns, stubble, grass, etc. This gives the hams their unique taste, smell and texture. Interestingly enough, with regards to pig breeding, legend has it that the pigs of Montánchez owe their unique flavour to a diet of reptiles, which they eat in the final days before they are slaughtered. Reptiles such as viper which are abundant in the area.
Beyond the myths and legends, it is certainly true that these animals receive special care and attention, from birth until their products are fit for consumption.