It is the million-dollar question that, unfortunately, has not one but many answers.
In fact, in some cases, we would not advise you to buy ham for Christmas. You might be better off with a good shoulder or a knife-sliced ham.
During the Christmas holidays, we will be invited to lunch and dinner at the homes of relatives. We will be hosting our friends celebrating the end of the year. There are many events that will be the perfect occasion to taste a good ham.
What is the best ham for Christmas?
Well, for tastes and budgets, in ibericomio.es we are always ready to help.
If you have to organize the Christmas party at work and there is not much budget, we would go for a sliced ham or paleta de cebo. A top seller of our website is the Iberian ham sliced in vacuum-packed envelopes and sliced by machine. If you can manage it a little bit, either in rolls or cutting each slice in 3 parts, it can be a spectacular dish.
In Paleta de Cebo campo sliced by machine, the safe bet that will also allow you to succeed as a company party organizer.
If it turns out that the mother-in-law is coming home for dinner on Christmas Eve, that’s a big deal. To get out of the way without complication, we would go for an Iberian ham sliced by knife. There are several options according to quality and budget. Marta Recio personally cuts to the knife each of the orders she receives. If your mother-in-law is one of those who always says “buts”, you have to shut her up. For that we have the Iberian ham of 17 Aldeas, the brand that we all hide so as not to exhaust its limited stock…
Finally, there is the great litmus test of ham at Christmas. The “cuñao” who knows how to cut ham, shoulder and whatever it takes. This character will not only delight us by explaining to all diners how to cut a good ham. He will also take the opportunity to give us a masterclass on the different types of ham. In these circumstances you have to choose a good piece. A whole leg with which to put out of play the brother-in-law who will surrender to the evidence that you know as much or more than he does about Jamón Ibérico.
In whole pieces there is a wide variety of options. A product of quality and price according to almost all pockets would be a good country ham. Our suggestion: a DOP Guijuelo with 75% Iberian breed.
If we look for a higher level, we would be talking about acorn-fed ham. The safe bet will always be MORATO.
When to buy a ham for Christmas?
You already have an idea of the ham to give for Christmas. Now the question arises, when to buy a ham for Christmas?
The best date to buy or give an Iberian ham as a gift for Christmas will always be as close to the day of the event as possible. Logically, if you are going to buy a ham on December 20, its price will be much higher and stocks will be somewhat limited. It is difficult to choose among many alternatives if you wait until the last moment.
That’s why we suggest you get a head start on your Christmas shopping. Whether it is a ham for your home or a ham to give as a gift in ibericomio.es you will always be able to buy it in October / November and indicate in the comments that it will be sent to you at the beginning of December. This way it will be in the dryer for as long as possible.
Important, when the ham arrives to you as a whole piece, you must always remove it from its packaging and cover. If sliced, store in a cool, dry place away from light. Perhaps the best place, the fridge.
