We are Gastronomic Spain, an online store specializing in the selection and sale of high-quality Spanish gourmet products, with special attention to one of the great emblems of our culinary culture: hams from Gastronomic Spain are a true reflection of Spanish quality and flavor.
We cater to Spaniards living in European countries who can no longer easily access the products they grew up with. We step in to offer them what they loved so much, but can no longer obtain with the same ease.
We also address lovers of Spanish gastronomy across Europe—those who, even if they didn’t grow up with it, have tasted our Spanish delicacies and fallen in love with the Mediterranean diet. And, of course, young Erasmus students studying in Europe who wish to continue enjoying the food they loved back in Spain.
Hams from Gastronomic Spain make it possible to return home without traveling.
Our mission is clear: to bring the very best of the Spanish pantry to any European table, guaranteeing carefully selected products, well-known brands, and efficient, secure service. On our homepage you’ll find an extensive catalog of gourmet products, where ham takes center stage alongside cured meats, cheeses, preserves, and other traditional delights.
Hams from Gastronomic Spain:the universal icon of Spanish gastronomy
Over time, ham has become one of the greatest symbols of Spanish gastronomy. For many foreign visitors, tasting a good ham is an essential experience when traveling to Spain. Its flavor, aroma, and artisanal production process have elevated it to the status of a globally recognized gourmet product.
For this reason, many of our customers choose us for this flagship product. It is a long-standing product—both in our catalog and in gastronomy itself. Let’s take a closer look!
Origin and evolution of ham in Spain
The origin of cured ham dates back to Roman times, when salting and natural drying techniques were already used to preserve meat. Over the centuries, these techniques were refined thanks to climate, geography, and the expertise of master ham makers.
In the past, ham was closely tied to rural self-sufficiency, produced artisanally for family consumption. Today, without losing that traditional essence, ham has evolved toward more controlled processes, with long and carefully monitored curing times, animal traceability, and quality standards that guarantee an exceptional product.
Although there is evidence that cooked ham existed in China, cured ham became popular in the Roman Empire through the use of salt as a preservation method.
At that time, not only ham was consumed, but also other seasoned or cured parts of the pig: loins, heads, ribs, trotters, cartilage, bacon, etc.
Curing processes have improved and been perfected over the years, allowing us today to offer different varieties adapted to tastes, uses, and occasions, resulting in our main subcategories:
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Iberian Ham
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Serrano Ham
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Pork Shoulder (Paleta)
Types of ham, pig breeds, and curing processes
Types of pigs and their relationship to each category: Iberian, Serrano, and Paleta
First, let’s talk about the types of pigs and their relationship to each category in our catalog:
Iberian pig: Native breed of the Iberian Peninsula. Its fat infiltration and diet (acorns, free-range feed, or feed) give rise to the exclusive Iberian ham, with deep flavor and juicy texture. That’s why we offer three subcategories: feed-fed Iberian ham, acorn-fed Iberian ham, and black-label (pata negra) Iberian ham.
White pig: Used for Serrano ham, it offers leaner, milder meat, ideal for everyday consumption without sacrificing quality. Its texture and smoothness make it lighter and suitable for more frequent, daily meals.
Pork shoulder (paleta): Comes from the animal’s front legs, whether Iberian or white pig, and is characterized by an intense flavor and slightly shorter curing time. Excellence in this category is found in Iberian pork shoulder, whose quality surpasses the others.
Ham curing: stages and flavor
Next, let’s look at the curing process, divided into stages and flavor. The production process of ham is key to its final quality and consists of several phases:
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Salting: Sea salt helps preserve the meat and enhances flavor.
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Washing and resting: Excess salt is removed and the piece stabilizes.
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Drying and maturation: In natural drying rooms or cellars, where the ham develops its aromas.
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Aging: Curing time can range from 12 to more than 36 months, directly influencing flavor intensity and texture.
The longer the curing time and the better the raw material, the greater the aromatic complexity and depth of flavor. As the Valencian saying goes, “a més sucre, més dolç” (“the more sugar, the sweeter”). Likewise, the longer the curing, the more quality and flavor you can appreciate.
Designations of Origin in ham
Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) guarantee the origin, breed, and production process of the ham. At Gastronomic Spain, we work with hams from Guijuelo, one of the most prestigious PDOs, known for its cold, dry climate that favors slow, balanced curing.
That’s why hams from Gastronomic Spain are synonymous with quality. We always aim to give you the very best so you can enjoy what matters most: ordering the product and enjoying it as soon as it arrives. The rest? We take care of it!
Other notable Spanish designations include:
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Jabugo (Huelva): Famous for its acorn-fed Iberian hams.
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Dehesa de Extremadura
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Los Pedroches (Córdoba)
Each adds unique nuances to the final product.
Enjoy each type of ham with these recipes and ideas
Iberian ham, one of Gastronomic Spain’s best sellers
Diced Iberian ham is ideal for adding deep, traditional flavor to stews and spoon dishes. A handful of ham at the start of the sauté transforms simple lentils into a dish full of memories and authenticity. We believe in traditional recipes that help you reconnect with the past: grandma’s cooking, your mother’s lentils, the smell of diced ham with spaghetti or lentils…
Here we link an article with a traditional, homemade lentil recipe. Add diced Iberian ham—you’ll love it!
No time to cook? We bring the best homemade lentils straight to your door.
Sliced Serrano ham for school sandwiches
This isn’t exactly a recipe—just something we all experienced in childhood. Who didn’t eagerly await recess after hours of class with those teachers? It’s remembered with nostalgia and joy. That’s why you can let your children enjoy these spectacular gastronomic products, just as you once did.
Sliced Serrano ham is perfect for sandwiches for the little ones (and not-so-little ones). Practical, nutritious, and full of flavor, it turns recess into a special moment with a classic Spanish product.
Here are also different recipe ideas where you can use Serrano ham:
Pork shoulder for celebrations, events, or gatherings
A whole pork shoulder, accompanied by quality Spanish cured meats and cheeses, is the perfect choice for family celebrations or gatherings with friends. A gastronomic experience that invites sharing and enjoying without haste.
Even though it’s not a recipe, choosing this option will surely make your friends and family enjoy a wonderful evening with you.
How to cut ham like a professional?
At this point in the article, you can include an explanatory video showing how to properly cut ham—from positioning the piece to the ideal cut for each part. This is highly valued by users and excellent for improving time spent on the page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnB3BfMHc0k[/embedyt]
If you can’t watch the video and prefer to read, we leave the tutorial here so you can access it: How to cut a ham shoulder.
Hams from Gastronomic Spain and shoulders: our flagship products
Hams from Gastronomic Spain and pork shoulders are our flagship products. Many customers choose us for our consistent quality, our selection of well-known Spanish brands, and the efficiency of our service. We are synonymous with trust, tradition, and gastronomic excellence. Our mission is to offer you the best Spanish products, and to achieve that, we continually add more renowned brands: Bimbo, Cruzcampo, El Pozo, Nieto Martín… The very best is just one click away.
We ship to anywhere in Europe, delivering orders in approximately one week, provided there are no logistical issues.
We offer different shipping options. First, ground shipping, which usually takes between 3 and 6 business days depending on the destination country (assuming everything runs smoothly). Second, air shipping, which takes between 24 and 48 hours—ideal for urgent orders.
Please note that for orders exceeding €89.99, ground shipping is FREE after discounts are applied. Therefore, if you apply a discount and the total amount falls below €89.99, unfortunately the order will not qualify for free shipping, as the agreed threshold has not been reached.
You can now enjoy the best hams from Gastronomic Spain. You’re just one click away!